TUCP elects new officers; Mendoza steps down

By TUCP
December 14, 2012

QUEZON CITY  –  Delegates of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) convention yesterday elected Victorino Balais and Gerard Seno as its new president and general-secretary respectively.

Balais is the federation president of Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization (PTGWO) while Seno is executive vice president of the Associated Labor unions (ALU), the biggest labor federation in the country today.

Esperanza Ocampo, president of the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) was elected as treasurer. The executive board members were composed of Dolores Alegarbes, Temistocles Dejon, Concepcion Dodd, Arnel Dolendo, Edmund Estavillo, Arthur Juego, Gilbert Lorenzo, Michael Mendoza, Gerry Rivera, Cecilio Seno, Jose Suan and June Elizabeth Tanqueng.

“This is the outcome of the convention called for by the TUCP constitution and by-laws. In a way we are renewing our commitment with the Filipino workers and our community. We now a fresh mandate to champion the Filipino workers and that’s exactly what we are going to do,” said Alan Tanjusay, TUCP advocacy officer.

The national convention was also attended by 49 labor groups comprising the new labor coalition Nagkaisa!, and global unions federations representatives from LO Norway, SASK, Building Wood Workers International, and Public Services International (PSI).

The election of the new officers effectively terminates the term of office of TUCP president Democrito Mendoza after serving the institution for 34 years. In his farewell address, he recalled how TUCP became a formidable force in shaping the Philippine Labor Code, lobbied hard for tax exemption of minimum wage earners, the observance of paternity and maternity leave, the establishment of Pag-ibig mutual fund, the annual increase in wages and the strengthening collective bargaining agreements in unions among others.

“With hard work and imagination, we all made the TUCP as an institution the Filipino workers and their families can rely on,” Mendoza said.

In other development, Mendoza also endorsed the candidacy of San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito after the latter addressed the convention.

“The TUCP hereby endorses the candidacy of JV for senator. When you go to your voting precincts in May 2013 elections, write down the name of JV in your ballots for senator,” said Mendoza to TUCP delegates and members in attendance.

Mendoza cited the active support of Ejercito to the cause of the workers and key labor policies particularly by defending in congress the Philippine Airlines Employees Association case, authorship of the Kasambahay bill and endorsement of the pending Security of Tenure bill.