The Makabayan Bloc concluded its week-long campaign in the Bicol region with a protest caravan on March 24, 2025, in Albay.
The caravan, featuring Makabayan’s senatorial candidates, aimed to promote their #Halalan2025 platform, which focuses on addressing Bicolanos’ demands for land, fair wages, employment opportunities, education, and the protection of their rights. The event included stops with short programs in various locations from Daraga, Legazpi City, to Ligao City.
Makabayan Bicol and its candidates have raised public awareness about pressing social issues, particularly in the lead-up to the 2025 elections.
Among the senatorial candidates are Liza Maza, Makabayan President; Mimi Doringo, Kadamay Secretary-General; Alyn Andamo, founding Secretary-General of Filipino Nurses United; Amirah Lidasan, Sandugo co-chairperson; and Jerome Adonis, Secretary-General of Kilusang Mayo Uno.
The national president of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), Mody Floranda; Danilo Ramos of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas; Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo; and former Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño also joined the caravan, parading with party-list supporters in different communities across Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, and Albay.
Condemnation of Red-Tagging
The candidates took a strong stance against red-tagging, election-related violence, vote-buying, and potential fraud in the upcoming elections. They also denounced the recent blocking of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bikol campaign volunteers by the 83rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Camarines Sur.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol (KMB) spokesperson Regina Barbacena condemned the attacks on progressive candidates, stating that government forces feel threatened by their presence.
“The blatant attack on patriotic candidates only proves who the true ally of the oppressed masses in Bicol is,” she said.
Furthermore, in early March, misleading posters surfaced in Naga City and Pili, Camarines Sur, falsely linking Gabriela-Bikolana Chairperson Jenelyn Nagrampa, Chona Azucena, Consuela Cerujano, and Nica Ombao to armed conflict. Similarly, in late February, flyers red-tagging Makabayan senatorial candidates Teddy Casiño and Jerome Adonis were discovered at the Makabayan-Camarines Sur office.
Barbacena vowed that they would not be silenced and would continue to resist such attacks.
Makabayan Bicol strongly condemned the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its supporters for orchestrating the red-tagging incidents against progressive candidates and activists.
Transportation Issues
Transportation concerns were a key issue in the campaign, with candidates engaging with Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODAs) and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs) in Sorsogon. Senatorial candidates Mody Floranda and Jerome Adonis spearheaded discussions against the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program, which drivers claim threatens their livelihoods.
“If the government, whether national or local, is serious about preventing our phaseout, they should issue a concrete resolution,” Floranda challenged local authorities.
Makabayan also reiterated its demand for the abolition of the Oil Deregulation Law, arguing that soaring fuel prices have intensified inflation and increased the cost of living.
“We need to regulate the downstream oil industry, unbundle oil prices, and establish centralized procurement of oil to ensure affordable goods and basic services for all,” Makabayan President Liza Maza stated.
Economic Reform
The bloc also highlighted the worsening poverty situation in the country due to rising inflation. They vowed to push for policies that would alleviate the ongoing economic and labor crisis affecting Filipinos by abolishing regional wage boards and the contractualization scheme.
For instance, in Bicol, inflation increased from 2.4% in December 2024 to 3.2% in January 2025, leaving many workers struggling to survive on the current P395 daily wage.
The bloc’s nominees called for true reform, stating, “Our fellow Bicolanos deserve genuine change in the country. This aspiration is very clear to our Makabayan candidates,” Barbacena said.
About Makabayan Bloc
The Makabayan Bloc is a coalition of progressive political organizations in the Philippines advocating for pro-people policies and systemic reforms. It includes party-list groups such as Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party, Anakpawis, ACT Teachers, and Kabataan Partylist. Known for its stance against political dynasties, neoliberal economic policies, and human rights violations, Makabayan has consistently fought for labor rights, free education, agrarian reform, and national sovereignty.I Erica Razo
Photos by Makabayan Bicol