‘Genuine platform, real solutions’: Makabayan bets still counting on ordinary Filipinos’ support

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LAGUNA, Philippines – Makabayan senatorial candidates remain undeterred by their uphill battle in the 2025 elections, still hopeful that their “genuine platform” and “real solutions” intended for ordinary Filipinos would resonate with voters.

The Makabayan Coalition held their miting de avance at Crossing, Calamba, Laguna, on May 1, Labor Day. Groups from Southern Tagalog representing workers, peasants, youth, women and other mass organizations withstood the sweltering afternoon heat to witness the campaign.

In the Stratbase Group-sponsored Social Weather Stations survey held in April, Makabayan senatorial candidates trailed behind more popular choices by a wide margin. Among them, ACT Teachers Representative France Castro got the highest ranking at 25th place — far from the top 12.

Senatorial candidate Jerome Adonis, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) secretary general, appeared undeterred by the survey numbers as he stood in front of their supporters.

“Punong-puno tayo ng pag-asa. Kasama natin ang ordinaryong mamamayan, magtatagumpay ang Makabayan sa darating na eleksyon,” he said.

(We are full of hope. Together with the ordinary citizens, Makabayan will triumph in the upcoming election.)

“Sa Makabayan po dala-dala natin ang totoong plataporma na merong tiyak na pagreresolba sa pundamental at pangmatagalang problema ng mga manggagawa at ng taumbayan,” he added.

(In Makabayan, we bring a genuine platform that ensures the resolution of the fundamental and long-term problems of workers and the people.) 

Makabayan’s campaign platform is higher wages, job security, land reform, social services, human rights, protection of national sovereignty, and genuine change. 

The coalition’s senatorial slate is composed of leaders from the basic sectors including farmers, fisherfolk, teachers, women, workers, indigenous peoples, public transport operators, and nurses.

Senatorial candidate Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party sought to set the Makabayan bets apart from other Senate bets.

“Iboboto ba ang luma at bulok na pulitika o ang bago na merong plataporma, may kredibilidad ang mga kandidato, may malinis na track record, at higit sa lahat dala ang pambansa, demokratikong alternatiba?” she asked.

(Should we vote for outdated and corrupt politics or for a new leadership with a clear platform, with credible candidates, clean track record, and most of all carries the national democratic alternative?)

Other senatorial candidates at the Calamba campaign were urban poor leader Mimi Doringo, transport leader Mody Floranda; Moro activist Amirah Lidasan; and Danilo Ramos, president of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

Party-list candidates emphasize credentials, track record in public service

A representative from ACT Teachers, which has kept its seat at the House of Representatives since 2010, listed their accomplishments, including the law providing public school teachers with P10,000-teaching supplies allowance, and their successful bid to revert the 2025-2026 school year back to the old June to March time frame.

“Dapat po muli nating ihalal ang ACT Teachers party-list dahil ito ang tunay na militant teachers,” the party-list group said. (We must elect the ACT Teachers party-list again because they are genuine militant teachers.)

Sarah Elago, Gabriela Women’s Party’s first nominee, also boasted their share of wins. Gabriela, which has has House representation for the last 20 years, spearheaded the passage of the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children, Magna Carta of Women, Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, and Occupational Safety and Health.

“Kasama ‘nyo ang Gabriela Women’s Party na titiyakin na malakas ang ating boses sa loob at labas ng Kongreso.” (Gabriela Women’s Party is with you in ensuring that our voices are heard inside and outside the Congress.)

Kabataan Partylist third nominee John Peter Angelo Garcia said that if elected back to Congress, Kabataan’s top priority is to ensure that the government’s top budgetary priority is education.

“Hinahamon tayo, pagkaisahin ang napakalawak na lakas ng mga kabataan para iboto ang mga progresibong mga kandidatong tunay na titindig para sa kapakanan ng mga manggagawa at taong bayan,” Garcia emphasized.

(We are being challenged, unite the immense strength of the youth to vote for the progressive candidates who genuinely stand up for the welfare of the workers and people.)

In their 18 years in Congress, Kabataan has authored various laws and bills, among the most significant of which is the Free College Education Law.

Based on data from the Commission on Elections, the youth makes up about 60% of the country’s total voting population.

Clamor for P1,200-daily national minimum wage

WAGE HIKE. Groups demand a wage hike during the Makabayan Coalition miting de avance in Calamba, Laguna. Photo courtesy of Paolo Alpay

Through the Bayan Muna party-list, Makabayan pushed for a P1,200-daily minimum wage in the private sector, and P33,000 per month in the public sector.

As of March 2025, IBON Foundation tracked the average minimum wage and family living wage for a family of five in Calabarzon at P560 and P1,144, respectively. In Mimaropa, the wage gap is higher with P430 and P1239, respectively.

Makabayan counts among its supporters the workers’ union at Gardenia Bakeries Philippines Incorporated in Laguna.

“Para sa amin, may base naman talaga ang Makabayan senatoriable[s] natin at kailangan lang talaga na pagtulungan para maipanalo, so kami, tuwing mag-aaral yung mga member namin sa union office, talagang inilalatag namin [sa] bawat isa na ito yung ating dapat suportahan kasi ito yung magtatanggol sa ating interes doon sa senado kung sakaling makapasok,” said union president Rodel Marte.

(Makabayan senatoriables have a base and we just need to really help them win, so we [as a union], everytime our members study at the union office, we really forward to each other that they are who we should be supporting because they will defend our interests in the Senate, if elected.)

Marte said the issues that they deal with include prevailing contractualization, wage that fails to reflect the value and volume of their labor, and red-tagging and termination of workers who join unions. – Rappler.com

Princess Leah Sagaad is a campus journalist studying Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She is the associate managing editor for short-form reporting of Tanglaw, and an Aries Rufo Fellowship candidate from April-May 2025.