By Max Lane
Some 110,000 people rallied in Manila on November 30, sending a clear message to the Ramos government that the progressive moment is ready and able to launch a new campaign for political and economic reforms. The unity statement of the Kapatirang Anak Pawis (Union of the Toiling People — KAP) reminded the Ramos government that "This is not the peak but the beginning of the different sectors' concerted actions for a genuine societal change; and a day of protest against the pervasive poverty and powerlessness of the common people".
The rally raised three demands: a 35 peso (A$2) per day wage increase for workers in the private sector and a 200 peso per month raise for public servants; a moratorium on the demolition of urban poor communities until a comprehensive program for urban renewal has been adopted; an end to all conversion of farmers' land to other uses and a speedy implementation of real land reform.
Coming together to form the KAP and organise the November 30 rally were all the socialist, progressive and even more moderate social democratic political groups. These included SANLAKAS, which involves the socialist MAKABAYAN, BISIG, PANDAYAN, the Movement for Popular Democracy, Council for Freedom and Democracy and the Social Democratic Party of the Philippines.
All the trade unions joined in from the Wage Increase Alliance (LAWIN), which consists of the major militant and some moderate unions, including the major forces of the unions that broke away from the old KMU. The peasant and urban poor organisations associated with the political blocs, and a few non-affiliated groups also participated.
Of the 110,000 workers, students, urban poor and peasants who attended, an estimated 70,000 were mobilised by SANLAKAS, whose leader Tony Cabardo was also the opening speaker at the rally. He told Green Left Weekly: "We reached our target. Everyone should see now what are capacities are. This is just the beginning."
He went on to explain that following the rally all the participants in KAP had agreed to keep the new coalition going as a united front in their struggle for socioeconomic and political reform. "The formation of such a broad alliance as this has not been achieved for a long time. This is a good sign for the future."
KAP also held rallies in the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Ilogan and Zamboanga. The old KMU also held a rally in Manila on the same day, with an estimated attendance of between 3000 and 5000 people.