Labor leader Leody De Guzman bares 9 senatorial bets for Eleksyon 2022

Presidential aspirant and labor leader Leodegario "Ka Leody" de Guzman on Saturday revealed his nine senatorial bets for the upcoming May 2022 elections.

In a Twitter post, de Guzman identified the nine as:

• Luke Espiritu
• Roy Cabonegro
• David D’angelo
• Chel Diokno
• Risa Hontiveros
• Neri Colmenares
• Bong Labog
• Sonny Matula
• Leila de Lima

“Narito ang aking personal na mungkahi. Wala silang obligasyon dalhin ang aking kandidatura. Hindi ito transactional politics. Nagtitiwala ako sa kanilang hangarin,” de Guzman wrote on Twitter.

(Here are my suggestions. They have no obligation to support my candidacy [for president]. This is not transactional politics. I trust their intent.)

De Guzman, who will run under the Partido Lakas ng Masa, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president for the May 2022 elections with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last October 6.

Among his senatorial bets, three were members of his party list: Espiritu, Cabonegro, and D’angelo.

The labor leader, however, noted that he still “trusted” those on the list who are not part of Partido Lakas ng Masa.

The labor leader is the presidential candidate of Laban ng Masa, "a coalition of left and progressive organizations and individuals united on a common platform with a socialist direction," according to the coalition's statement.

Meanwhile, de Guzman decried the marginalization of workers in national politics despite the crucial role they play in the economy.

“Oras na para marinig, mapakinggan at masunod ang boses at kapasyahan ng milyon-milyong manggagawa,” he said.

(It's time to hear and follow the voices and views of millions of workers.)

On Sunday, Colmenares thanked De Guzman for including him in the latter's senatorial slate.

"Ka Leody and I were senatorial candidates of Labor Win in 2019, and we fought hard against contractualization and violations of workers right. I am glad that he considers me, and KMU Chairman Elmer Labog, as candidates who carry the interest of the workers in our country and deserving of the support of the workers and the people," Colmenares said in a statement.

The 2022 general elections will be held on May 9. — DVM/KG, GMA News