Militants to protest labor policies, tax reform during Duterte's SONA

Militant groups on Sunday vowed to hold a protest to counter President Rodrigo Duterte's second State of the Nation Address (SONA) given that the "promise of change has not been realized."

"The simultaneous actions at various state agencies is proof that change has not come," Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) President Leony de Guzman said in an emailed statement.

"Despite Duterte's rosy pronouncements while still campaigning and even up to his first SONA, Duterte's regime remains to be major let down for those who voted for him."

The protests will include contingents from the BMP, Sanlakas, and the Partido ng Lakas ng Masa (PLM).

"[W]e are even baffled with what he plans to brag as achievements in tomorrow's SONA. After an entire year of threatening employers who abuse contractual workers, no finger was lifted and despite our protestations, contractual employment remains to be the dominant mode of employment in the country," de Guzman added.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III in March formally ordered an immediate prohibition of "endo", or the practice of indefinite contractualization by employers in the Philippines, through Department Order (DO) 174.

The BMP, however, urged Duterte to reject the DO as they wanted a total ban of contractualization. Philippine laws, however, allow several forms of endo, such as contractual hires or seasonal hires.

Tax reform protest

The BMP and PLM will also protest the administration's comprehensive tax reform program, which they branded as "regressive and anti-poor."

The measure, already approved by the House of Representatives, will effectively exempt those with an annual income of up to P250,000 from paying income tax.

Meanwhile, a higher tax rate will be imposed on the so-called “one percent” of taxpayers, or those who earn more than P5 million every year, who have to settle P1.45 million, plus 35 percent in excess of P5 million

The protests are set to be held at the head office of the Department of Environment and  Natural Resources (DENR), and in front of the Iglesia ni Cristo temple along Commonwealth Avenue.

Similar protests will also be held in Bacolod, Tacloban, Cebu, and Davao. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News