New TUCP leaders vows to fight for workers' rights

MANILA, Philippines - The new leadership of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Friday vowed to continue to fight for the rights and welfare of the Filipino workers in the face of a global economic crisis.

"They (workers) are the reason why the TUCP is existing and we are going to do just that," Gerard Seno, the newly elected secretary-general of TUCP, said.

Last week, Seno was elected during the TUCP regular national convention. He is also executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU), the biggest labor federation in the country.

In the same convention, Victorino Balais was elected as the new TUCP president. Balais is the president of the Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO). Esperanza Ocampo was elected TUCP treasurer.

The 12 new members of the executive board are Dolores Alegarbes, Temistocles Dejon, Concepcion Dodd, Arnel Dolendo, Edmund Estavillo, Arthur Juego, Gilbert Lorenzo, Micahel Mendoza, Gerry Rivera, Cecilio seno, Jose Suan, and June Elizabeth Tanqueng.

"We are going to strengthen our role as workers’ representatives in dialogues with the government, management and employers, legislature and the judiciary," Seno added.

Over 300 delegates and observers from different TUCP affiliate labor federations elected the new set of officers. The new set of officers will serve a term of  five years. - Dennis Carcamo