Labor group urges Librado-Morato to still run for Davao City councilor

File photo
File photo

A LABOR group urged incumbent Davao City First District Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata to continue her candidacy "to give chance the voice of the workers and urban poor in the city" despite being delisted in the official slate of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) and Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) candidates for city councilor in the coming 2022 local elections.

In a statement forwarded to SunStar Davao on Wednesday, November 17, Kilosang Mayo Uno (KMU)-Southern Mindanao said the decision of HTL to withdraw Librado-Morata's certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) "only exposed the party as against pro-people agenda that the good councilor is advocating."

KMU urged the councilor to reconsider her plan on withdrawing her candidacy "as it denies the chance of the workers and urban poor to be represented in the city council."

"Notwithstanding, her withdrawal would further consolidate the ruling clique in the city that only serve[s] their personal interests," the group said.

Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, in a statement issued on Wednesday, announced the removal of Librado-Morata and Nilo "Small" Abellera Jr. to the party’s slate as "the party believes that their ideals are not in line with the political party’s vision for Davao City and the Philippines."

KMU said the "Librado brand of politics" pushed for laws focusing on "the betterment of the living conditions of the workers, urban poor, fisherfolks, women, and children."

Librado-Morata is the daughter of former councilor and labor leader Erasto "Nonoy" Librado. The political journey of the Librados is continued by his wife, former councilor Marleen, and two other daughters -- Angela and Leah.

"They consistently expressed their support for workers' increase in wages, against contractualization, and labor-export policy," the group said.

KMU highlighted some of the ordinances Librado-Morata sponsored, including the Workers Protection Desk Ordinance, which became an ordinance on May 11, 2021.

The labor group also lauded her involvement in addressing the labor issue of the Foodpanda riders with their management.

The group said the Librados "are also consistent in delivering legal, health, and other services to the various communities in the city."

"The Librado office is also busy in helping the rollout of the Covid vaccination in the communities, as well as providing other health services in partnership with the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines," KMU said.

They also said numerous workers have also benefited when their labor cases have won under the assistance of Librado's office. The councilor had also provided legal advice to the marginalized sector.

"If these deeds and ideals of Councilor Librado run contrary to Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod then it only proves that the said party is not supportive for the good and betterment of workers, urban poor, and marginalized sectors in the city," KMU said.

Librado-Morata, in a statement, said she is planning to withdraw her certificate of candidacy for reelection in the 2022 elections this week.

"At this juncture, it is with a heavy heart that I plan to withdraw from the local elections next year, and I might file said withdrawal within the week," the councilor said.

Despite her withdrawal, she assured her constituents that she will continue on her functions as councilor until the end of her term.

The councilor claimed that she was not informed nor given the chance to explain her side.

She believed that the reason for her removal was supposedly due to her alleged links with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front.

"[T]his conclusion was reached unilaterally and that no one consulted her nor was given the opportunity to defend herself against "baseless and malicious accusations," Librado-Morata said.

In an online message to the councilor's staff, the councilor is said to be still consulting with her supporters, some barangay officials, and women and workers groups who are supporting her on her planned withdrawal from next year's election.

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