FFW president Sonny Matula leads WPP senatorial slate
Labor leader and Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President, Atty. Sonny Matula, officially assumed the leadership of the Workers Party Philippines (WPP) on September 14 in Quezon City. At the same event, Matula renewed his bid for a Senate seat in the upcoming mid-term elections.
“I accept the challenge of mainstreaming pro-worker and pro-people governance that Filipino workers and marginalized citizens have long been yearning for,” said Matula.
The Workers’ Party Philippines (WPP) was founded on February 3, 1963, as the Lapiang Manggagawa (LM) by Cipriano Cid, Felixberto Olalia, Roberto Oca, and other labor leaders.
In 1965, it briefly became known as the Socialist Party of the Philippines (SPP). The party registered with the Commission on Electionsin 1983. It supported the Corazon Aquino-Salvador Laurel ticket in the 1986 presidential snap election; and in 1992, the party joined forces with NUCD-UMDP of Senator Raul Manglapus, Lakas-Tao of Rep. Edelmiro Amante, and PDSP of Secretary Norberto Gonzales to form a coalition supporting the presidential bid of Fidel V. Ramos (FVR).
At its latest convention, the WPP elected Matula as its new Party President with former FFW President Atty. Allan Montaño elected as WPP Secretary-General.
Atty. Ariel Arias and Dr. Oscar Morado were elected as Chairperson and Senior Vice President, respectively.
THIRST FOR GENUINE PUBLIC SERVANTS
“It’s a difficult journey, but one we can’t afford to miss. Workers thirst for genuine public servants,” said Matula, emphasizing his commitment to worker-centric governance.
Matula will lead one of the oldest registered political parties in the Philippines into a new era, while continuing his role as President of the FFW, the country’s oldest labor federation with over 100,000 members.
“Panahon na para sa pagbabago! Sawa na tayo sa panloloko ng mga dinastiya at pulitiko na magaling lang manuyo kapag panahon ng halalan. Pero pag nakaupo na, binabalewala na tayo,” Matula remarked, highlighting the need for change as he launches his third Senate bid. “Boses naman ng obrero sa senado!”
FULL SLATE IN COMING WEEKS
Matula also addressed the delays in the legislated wage increase bill, pointing to the rising cost of living and the struggles of Filipino workers. “Nagdurusa na ang lahat sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin, pero di pa rin umuusad sa Kongreso ang legislated wage hike. Kaya kailangan nating tumindig,” he added.
The WPP plans to field more candidates in both the senatorial and local elections, with the party set to announce its full slate in the coming weeks.
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