We have been told that the situation is not yet ripe to challenge elite politics. On the contrary. After the lived experience of the last few decades where our people have witnessed the rigodon of changing political leaders from different elite political parties presiding over a status quo of continued poverty and inequality, the message that nothing will change for as long as these elites are in power resonate with our people now more than ever.

Our audacious challenge of elite rule in this election and our aspiration to put representatives of the working class in power has captured the imagination of and is gaining traction among a growing number of people, groups and sectors who continue to dream boldly for a better life for our people. We invite all progressive forces to seize this political momentum, join hands and collectively articulate our bold message to defeat elite rule and vote for genuine reforms. When will the situation be ripe and more importantly, how do we get to that stage, if we don’t start to challenge elite rule now? We have enough forces to do this. We possibly even have enough traction to win today or in the near future. The tactic of supporting the lesser evil closes this option and drags us further into the marsh.

As the socialist Albert Einstein said, it is insanity to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. What Laban ng Masa’s #BagongPulitika brand is trying to do is to try to imagine different possibilities for our country. It is high time that we, the 99% of the population, take charge of our destiny.

We reiterate that we will unite with all to defeat the Marcos-Duterte axis of evil. As importantly, we will continue to fight against neoliberal policies, regrettably a staple of all presidential and vice-presidential candidates except Laban ng Masa’s. As most of us in Laban ng Masa have been saying all along - Be realistic, demand the impossible!

Laban ng Masa

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