Residence: Barangay UP Village, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Civil status: widower
Profession/occupation (as stated in COC): lawyer
Other info:
Father: Flaviano Arellano, farmer and carpenter
Mother: Alejandra Rillera, farmer
third among seven siblings
Education
Elementary, Gusing Sur Elementary School
Secondary, Naguilian Academy
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science, Minor in Philosophy, Baguio Cordilleras Foundation (now University of Cordilleras) (graduated in 1962)
Bachelor of Laws, Baguio Colleges Foundation (graduated in 1968 and immediately passed the Bar)
Career
Elementary teacher, Baguio Colleges Foundation
High school teacher/ principal, Baguio Colleges Foundation
University professor, Philippine College of Commerce (now Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Labor lawyer (1969-present)
Legal counsel, Laine White (son of a US missionary who became a victim of the “Laglag-Bala” modus operandi at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 2015
Other info (organizations)
Founding general secretary, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)
President emeritus, National Federation of Labor (NFL)
National president, National Confederation of Labor (NCL)
Chief legal counsel, Katipunan ng Maralitang Pilipino (KAMPILAN)
Founder and chief legal counsel, Legal Advocates for Workers' Interest (LAWIN)
National political officer, Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi (KATIPUNAN)
Candidacy in the 2025 Philippine elections
Position sought: Senator
Party: Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi (Katipunan)
Period of residence in the Philippines up to the day before May 12, 2025: 84 years 05 months
Registered voter of: Barangay UP Village, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Campaign platform (verbatim)
ADVOCATING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND NATIONAL REFORM
EMPOWER EVERY FILIPINO: A CALL FOR DECENT LIVING, FAIR WAGES, AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH
1. HOUSING IS A RIGHT FOR ALL
Every Filipino Family deserves a decent home, with at least 60-100 square meters of space to live in dignity. This is right, not a privilege. We demand access to affordable housing for underprivileged families, ensuring every Filipino has a safe and secure place to live.
“DEMANDABLE HOUSING RIGHTS”
“DISENTENG TAHANAN PARA SA BAWAT PAMILYANG PILIPINO!”
2. LIVING WAGES, NOT MINIMUM WAGES
The current minimum wages is insufficient to meet the needs of working families. We call for nationalized living wages - a wage that provides for a family’s basic needs with dignity. We demand across-the-board wage increases, recognizing the contributions of all worker’s, regardless of their region.
“TAMA NA ANG MINIMUM WAGE! DAPAT AY NAKABUBUHAY NA SAHOD!”
3. FREE AND QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL
Access to free, quality education in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) should be a guarantee for all. Education is the foundation for a better future, and every Filipino child deserves the opportunity to learn without the burden of high tuition fees.
“EDUKASYON PARA SA LAHAT, WALANG BATA ANG MAIIWAN!”
4. END CONTRACTUALIZATION AND SECURE JOBS FOR ALL
The labor force continues to suffer from precarious employment due to *DO 106 - 109, DO 174, and manpower agency policies that perpetuate contractualization. We demand the repeal of these policies and call for secure, long-term jobs for all worker’s’ including women, youth, and PWDs.
“TUNAY NA TRABAHO, HINDI PAASA! WAKASAN ANG KONTRAKTWALISASYON!”
5. FOOD SECURITY FOR EVERY FILIPINO
No Filipino should go hungry in a country rich in resources. We demand policies that prioritize food security through sustainable agricultural practices, support for local farmers, and reforms that ensure affordable access to nutritious food for every Filipino family.
“SEGURIDAD SA PAGKAIN, KARAPATAN NG LAHAT!”
6. ANTI-CORRUPTION: TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY NOW
Corruption erodes public trust and diverts resources away from those who need them most. We demand stronger measures to fight corruption in government, ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels.
“WAKASAN ANG KORAPSYON, PANAGUTIN ANG MGA TIWALI!”
7. INDUSTRIALIZATION AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Industrialization is key to our country’s progress. We call for strategic industrial development that promotes job creation, technological advancement, and a robust economy that benefits all Filipinos, not just the elite.
“PANGMATAGALANG INDUSTRIYALISASYON PARA SA TUNAY NA PAG - UNLAD!”
8. UNIFIED NATIONAL WAGE SYSTEM
The wage gap across region is unjust. We advocate for a Nationalized Minimum Wage, ensuring that workers in every part of the country earn wages are fair, just, and sufficient for a decent standard of living.
“PAMBANSANG MINIMUM WAGE, PARA SA LAHAT NG MGA MANGGAGAWA”!
9. SECURE WORKERS’ RIGHTS
We push for the **Freedom of Association** - the right of workers to organize unions, bargain collectively, and fight for their rights without fear of retaliation. This is fundamental to achieving true workplace democracy and fairness.
“KARAPATAN NG MANGAGAWA, PROTEKTAHAN AT IGALANG!”
10. AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Reforming access to housing is essential for building resilient and Inclusive communities. We demand policies that prioritize affordable housing for all, ensuring that no Filipino Family is left behind.
“TAHANAN PARA SA BAWAT PAMILYA, KARAPATAN AT HINDI PRIBILEHIYO!”
11. ELECTORAL REFORM AND ANTI-DYNASTY LAWS
We stand firm against political dynasties and call for meaningful Electoral Reforms to ensure transparency, fair representation, and an end to the concentration of political power within families.
“WAKASAN ANG POLITICAL DYNASTY, ITAGUYOD ANG TUNAY NA DEMOKRASYA!”
12. CLIMATE JUSTICE AND JUST TRANSITION
The effects of climate change disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. We demand environmentally just policies that promote sustainable development, protect natural resources, and ensure a just transition for workers in climate-impacted industries.
“MAKATARUNGANG SOLUSYON SA KRISIS NG KLIMA, NGAYON NA!”
13. AGRARIAN REFORM, COOPERATIVE FARMING, AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Farmers are the backbone of our nation, yet they remain among the most marginalized. We push for Agrarian Reform and rural Development policies that promote land ownership for farmers, equitable development, and fair prices for agricultural products.
In addition, we advocate for Cooperative Farming - a strategy where farmers can pool resources and share knowledge to improve productivity, reduce costs, and achieve better market access. The approach will help foster a more sustainable and empowered farming community, ensuring that our farmers are not only landowners but also partners in national development.
“LUPA PARA SA MAGSASAKA, KOOPERATIBA PARA SA TUNAY NA KAUNLARAN NG KANAYUNAN!”
JOIN US IN OUR FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY!
We believe in a future where every Filipino has access to basic needs - housing, education, food, and secure jobs. A future free from corruption, with wages that allow families to live with dignity, and policies that uplift the lives of the most vulnerable. Together, we can build a better Philippines. Lets make this vision a reality. Be part of the movement for social justice and national reform!
Election history
ELECTION YEAR
POSITION SOUGHT
PARTY
OUTCOME
2019
Senator
Independent
lost: ranked 36th out of 62 candidates with 937,713 votes
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