Robredo completes Senate slate with inclusion of labor leader Sonny Matula

Presidential aspirant and Vice President Leni Robredo has named labor leader and fellow lawyer Sonny Matulas as her 12th Senate bet for the coming 2022 elections.

Robredo made the announcement three days after Matula and the rest of labor groups under the umbrella Alliance of Labor Leaders for Leni (ALL 4 Leni) expressed unconditional support for Robredo's 2022  presidential bid whether Matula makes the Senate slate or not.

"Ikinagagalak ko ngayong ihayag: Isinusulong ko para sa Senador si Attorney Sonny Matula ng Labor Party Philippines. Malinaw ang track record ni Attorney Sonny sa paglaban para sa karapatan ng mga manggagawang Pilipino. Humarap siya sa mga malalaking korporasyon, na ang tanging sandata ay paninindigan at husay sa abogasya," Robredo said in a video message.

(I am pushing Sonny Matula of Labor Party of the Philippines. He has a clear track record in fighting for the rights of Filipino workers and stood up against big corporations with his principles and skill as a lawyer.)

Matula is running as an independent and Robredo's camp has apologized for the mistake. 

"Isinusulong niya ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa—isang adbokasiya na matagal na rin nating ipinaglalaban bago pa man ako pumasok sa pulitika Bilang labor advocate, sigurado akong ipaglalaban niya kung ano ang tama, mabuti, at makatarungan, hanggang dulo," she added.

(Attorney Matula has been pushing for labor rights, an advocacy that I have also been fighting for way before I entered politics. As a labor advocate, I am assured that he will fight for what is right, what is good and what is just.)

Matula will join the 11 Senate bets earlier announced by Robredo and her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, which include the following: 

• Senator Richard Gordon
• Senator Joel Villanueva
• Senator Miguel Zubiri
• Senator Risa Hontiveros
• Senator Leila de Lima
• former Vice President Jejomar Binay
• Former Representative Teddy Baguilat

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• Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero
• Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV
• human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and
• Alex Lacson of Kapatiran

Robredo argued that Matula's inclusion is not a matter of convenience, but of duty.

"Para sa kaniya, ang pakikianib sa atin ay hindi isang transaksyon, kundi tungkulin. Ito ang ambag niya sa pagwawaksi ng luma at bulok na pulitikang ugat ng gutom, paghihirap, at pagkamatay ng maraming Pilipino (Him joining us is not a matter of completing a transaction but rejecting the old and rotten politics rooted in hunger, poverty and death of many Filipinos)," Robredo said.

"Malinaw sa kaniya kung gaano kalaki ang nakataya sa susunod na halalan, at walang-alinlangan niyang ipinapahiram sa atin ang kaniyang lakas upang siguruhing sa Mayo, magwawagi ang pamahalaang bago, matino, mahusay, at makatao (It is clear to him how high the stakes are in the next elections, and he did not hesitate in sharing his strength with us to ensure that come May 2022, the new government which is competence, efficient and humane will emerge victorious)," she added.

'On the side of labor rights'

Matula, in a separate statement, said he his inclusion proves that Robredo is on the side of labor rights.

"It is a great honor to be her candidate for the Senate. Ito ay tanda na seryoso si Vice President Leni na bitbitin at isulong ang laban ng manggagawa at ng batayang sektor sa darating na halalan (This shows that the Vice President is serious in pushing for labor rights and other sectors)," Matula said.

Matula said it is only fitting that Robredo's people’s campaign will include a candidate in the Senate is from the ranks of laborers.

"Nagagalak po ako, sampu ng mga pinuno at kasapi ng Alliance of Labor Leaders for Leni #ALL4Leni, Nagkaisa Labor Coaltion, 1Sambayan at Federation of Free Workers (FFW) sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob ni VP Leni. Di ka namin bibiguin. Magsasama-sama tayo sa paggapi sa katiwalian at pagtataguyod ng Karapatan sa Paggawa at Karapatang  Pantao hanggang sa tagumpay. Mabuhay ang mga ordinaryong tao (I am very happy, alongside with all of our allies, for the trust given to us by Vice President Leni. We will not let you down, and we will join you in this fight against corruption and the rights of our people until we win this. Power to the people)," he added.

Prior to this announcement, Matula said his inclusion in Robredo's Senate slate will be better for the vice president given that she shares his five-point agenda which includes: ending contractualization, national minimum wage, freedom of association/stopping of union busting, strengthening public health system and employment guarantees for displaced workers, among others.

"Kung mapili tayo, mas [magiging] malakas ang laban na maipasok natin at matagumpay na maidala ang agenda ng mga manggagawa (If we make the list, we will strengthen our fight and chances to win measures for labor rights)," Matula said.

The ALL 4 Leni group boasts of 350,000 members nationwide and aims to deliver around two million votes for Robredo in the 2022 polls.

Robredo earlier said the 12th slot in her Senate slate will best represent the marginalized sector. — RSJ, GMA News