Analysis and Opinion
By Joe America
It strikes me that the Philippine Left, which embraces everything from the communist warmongering extremes to the moderate efforts of Senator Hontiveros, is a huge waste of energy. So many street protests, so little traction. So many outdated slogans tearing down, so few ideas building up. So fickle during elections, LP then Duterte then undecided on Robredo. Lost in the coconut woods.
I addressed this recently in a pair of tweets on X. The first:
- Things change, y'know? The US and Japan slaughtered each other in WWII, but mutual interests and respect bring them together today. I think it's time for the Left to set Marx aside, and the PH-US War, and consider that they really could help Filipinos build a modern nation.
Then I thought about it and sent out the following missive:
- "Oh, yeah, smart guy how they gonna do that?" 1. Stop fighting AFP. 2. Oppose China's intrusions. 3. Build a Labor Party that unifies and represents all PH employees. 4. Add dynamic new (young) faces to leadership. 5. Team with liberals to put a Leftish president in office.
A commenter said they hated the US because the US is the chief enemy of communism. I replied:
- Ah, yes, true . . .. Which suggests they don't understand that democracy is for freedom and communism is for subjugation. And failed as an economic model.
By getting strategic, I mean the left should look at its various battles, and pick one that is huge in terms of opportunity. Rather than a scattergun approach that fights PNP and AFP, associates with NPA transgressions, and continues to hate on the US, the doing of which supports China, identify an area they can claim for the long term, and build a left-leaning empire.
To me, the area is obvious. The Philippines is among the worst 10 nations in the world in labor conditions. Employees are at the low end of the social power pyramid. Contract workers. Day workers. Skilled workers bumped for some entitle person's nephew. Poorly paid high-skill workers across the nation. While BSP officials pull in millions.
The Left's message and party ambitions should go well past union workers or disadvantaged farmers. It should encompass every Filipino who is not a manager. Every worker. Every employee.
It should set out to promote the idea that Filipinos are not just worth "jobs", they are worth "careers". And make that a central plank of the 2028 election, signed onto by the partner yellows and pinks.
Tremendous upside there. Tremendous voter base.
All it would take is one law to require career commitments from companies and organizations with more than 15 employees, and more strict job-conditions for smaller employers. Those ideas need to be worked out in more detail. But it is the concept that counts.
The Left can become prominent in the Philippines. To the benefit of millions.
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Photo from PhilStar Global. "Labor Day protests peaceful, but...", May 2, 2024. Photo by Ryan Baldemor.
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