Labor leader eyes tapping ‘forces’ to challenge political dynasties in senatorial run

Metro Manila, Philippines — A labor leader and senatorial aspirant said current forces, including workers and a new generation of voters, should be strengthened to topple political dynasties.

Espiritu on Wednesday, Oct. 9, said the youth seem to reject traditional politicians or “trapos,” as well as what he called “worst manifestation of elite rule” from the Marcos and Duterte clans.

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“Itong mga kabataan na ito ay lumabas at [These youth voters have come out and] brought themselves into political action,” Espiritu told NewsWatch Plus.

“It is a movement…I would call it ‘yung Gen Z na radicalization, and I think tuloy-tuloy ‘yan [the Gen Z radicalization and I think it would continue],” he added.

Espiritu said laborers are also still fighting to resolve their issues and have a society conducive for social justice.

“What we seek to do is we really have to address and cater to this at i-merge ‘yung forces ng mga ‘yan [and merge these forces] on the basis of issues and against the trapo,” he said.

“Di pa natin mababasag ang dominance ng trapo ngayon, pero sasabihin ko sa inyo, it is no longer unchallenged,” he said.

[Translation: We cannot still break the dominance of trapos now but I tell you, it is no longer unchallenged.]

Espiritu obtained around 3.4 million votes and lost the 2022 senatorial race.

The country still has no anti-political dynasty law.