MANILA, Philippines – Bayan, a multi-sectoral formation of various mass organizations in the Philippines welcomes the appointment of Rafael Mariano and Judy Taguiwalo as prospective cabinet secretaries for the Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Social Word and Development respectively. They are excellent choices and have had years of experience serving the marginalized and oppressed. They can do a lot in terms of pushing pro-people programs and reforms. The appointments from the Left are unprecedented and surpass any offers of positions by previous post-EDSA regimes.
Ka Paeng has served as the chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, 3-term Congressman of Anakpawis partylist and chair of Bayan. Prof. Judy meanwhile has a long record of activism including the underground resistance to the Marcos dictatorship,, the women’s movement, as well as union work within the University of the Philippines.
The nominees of the Left to the Duterte cabinet would need the help and support of the mass movement. They will have to deal with various interest groups and forces who are against reforms. They will have to contend with forces intent on preserving the rotten status quo. Within the limits of the institutions that they will work in, the progressives will push hard for pro-people reforms and highlight the need for fundamental change.
They also view with great optimism the appointments of Silvestre Bello III and Leonor Briones as secretaries of the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Education. Both are known progressives and allies of the mass movement. We hope Bello will decisively address the issue of labor contractualization and help in resolving many outstanding labor issues. We also hope Briones will look into the serious problems besetting the K-12 program of the outgoing Aquino regime.
The difficult work of achieving fundamental change does not end with securing positions in government. However, these new roles in government are an added means by which the people can advance the movement for change. These are positive developments that can be beneficial for the people.
Bayan welcomes appointments of Mariano and Taguiwalo
