New opposition coalition emerges

MANILA, Philippines — A new opposition coalition, dubbed Laban ng Masa, has been formed to fight for a democratic “system change.”  

Composed of different socialist groups, coalition chairman and defeated senatorial candidate Walden Bello described the group as the “broadest and most diverse coalition of forces” not just from one political tendency or color. 

“We need mass formation to be able to oppose the regressive initiatives of the government. This is an opposition to the current policies, and a coalition that promotes a vision of what is needed – that is system change,” Bello told reporters. 

However, Laban ng Masa leaders were quick to clarify that they are not behind any destabilization effort or plot to oust President Duterte. 

The leaders also said the coalition is different from other opposition groups.

Bello, former representative of Akbayan party-list, said the administration has a tendency to lump opposition forces together to form an enemy.

“But the public is not stupid to follow them blindly… The administration itself is destabilizing independent government institutions by supporting impeachment bids against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales,” Bello said.

The coalition is opposing extrajudicial executions allegedly done since Duterte launched the war on drugs in July last year. 

Bello lamented that there has not been true social reforms as promised by Duterte during the campaign, arguing that labor contractualization and agrarian problems continue to hound the country.

He also hit Duterte for not standing up for former environment secretary Gina Lopez who openly opposed open-pit mining. 

“Laban ng Masa is united around both opposition to the government’s sins of commission and its very critical sins of omission in the lack of social reforms. Our perspective is progressive,” Bello said. 

Among those under the group are: Sanlakas, Partido ng Lakas ng Masa, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Kilos Maralita, Katarungan, Alab Katipunan, Oriang, People’s Welfare for Empowerment, Reforms and Social Advancement, SPARK and Bangsa group.