Press Statement on the 11th Death Anniversary
of Ka Popoy Lagman on 06 February 2012
Rep. Edcel C. Lagman
Independent, 1st District of Albay
0916-6406737 / 0918-9120137
05 February 2012
WORKERS URGED TO PURSUE
KA POPOY’S LABOR AGENDA
The chronology of time tends to blur memories; the passage of time tends to diminish recollections; the marching on of time makes the occurrence of past events appear irremediable.
This must not be so. Time must not be a balm to injustice. Time must not silence protest. Time must not stop or temporize a good fight, a laudable crusade. Time must not shield impunity.
11 years after the assassination of Ka Popoy, his assassins and their mastermind have not been apprehended.
11 years after the death of Ka Popoy, no major labor legislation has been enacted.
11 years after the murder of Ka Popoy, contractualization continues to bedevil the workforce.
11 years after the demise of Ka Popoy, joblessness has worsened and the number of hungry Filipinos has escalated.
11 years after the death of Ka Popoy, his progressive labor agenda remains a challenging draft.
11 years after the death of Ka Popoy, his vision for a just society for the poor and underprivileged remains illusory.
This is the reason why time and time again we must shout: “Ka Popoy, tuloy ang laban!”
The reason why we celebrate the death anniversary of Ka Popoy is to continue reminding and chastising ourselves that we have failed in numerous instances to effectively pursue his unfinished advocacy and interrupted militancy for the marginalized masses, particularly the disadvantaged workers.
Another reason is to realize that the fragmentation of his allies and supporters into warring groups is counter-productive and self-defeating. There is need to unite to regain strength and efficacy.
And a more overriding reason is to resolve to continue resolutely and steadfastly the progressive labor agenda of Ka Popoy for the Filipino workingmen.