Makabayan bloc fields 10 sectoral leaders for 2025 senate polls
Amid political and economic crises, the Makabayan bloc took to the streets of Liwasang Bonifacio and formally introduced 10 senatorial candidates, composed of progressive leaders from multisectoral groups, seeking to finally lobby pro-people campaigns and forward the interests of the people in the Senate, Aug. 26.
The announcement was in time for the celebration of the National Heroes Day, which also marks the first time Makabayan bloc fielded a slate for Senate elections.
Contrary to the current line-up of senators in the Philippines who came from influential families and political dynasties, this roster of senatorial candidates came from different mass organizations that have been rallying with the masses to push sectoral campaigns over the years.
Among the 10 Makabayan candidates is Jerome Adonis, the secretary-general of Kilusang Mayo Uno. Adonis is a full-time labor union organizer who worked in the construction and electronics industry before becoming a bus conductor, where he joined the PASVIL/Pascual Liner Inc. Workers Union–NAFLU–KMU that went on strike in 1995 to denounce the company’s repressive policies against its workers.
Meanwhile, Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, the chair of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), is a farmer hailing from Malolos, Bulacan who worked as a tricycle driver during off-season. Ka Daning vowed to champion peasant-centric campaigns for land to the tillers, mechanization of agriculture, and an end to land grabbing and harassment of farmers.
Ronnel Arambulo of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) is a local fisherfolk leader in Laguna de Bay who has been campaigning for the protection of coastal towns and fishing grounds against reclamation projects since 2008 along with other fisherfolks.
Jocelyn Andamo, the secretary general of Filipino Nurses United (FNU), is a nurse who has dedicated four decades to the nursing profession. Andamo vowed to oppose policies and bills that will only distance the access of Filipinos to primary healthcare.
Mody Floranda of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide, (PISTON) is a transport leader who has been actively spearheading campaigns against the anti-people Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). He was also 18 years old when he was arrested, detained, and heavily tortured during Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship.
Representing the urban poor sector is Mimi Doringo of Kadamay, a mother of three and a citizen who experienced firsthand the wrath of the devastating Typhoon Ondoy, where she had to leave through the window with her five-month-old baby and wade to the garbage-filled waters. Doringo promised to oppose state-sanctioned relocation that only furthers the displacement of underprivileged families.
Staunch and known activists Teddy Casino of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and Liza Maza are also coming back for a seat in Congress to campaign for the rights of marginalized sectors and advocate for the rights of women and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), respectively.
Rep. France Castro of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT-Teachers) Party-list and Rep. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Women’s Party are still in the running, although in the Senate this time, to continue forwarding the calls and demands of teachers across the country and advance child and women’s rights, respectively.
As of this writing, the Makabayan bloc has only introduced 10 candidates. They initially announced plans to field a full 12-seat slate for the upcoming senatorial derby at a press conference last July 11 amid fractures in the Marcos-Duterte administration.
