The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) yesterday said Duterte must remain consistent in his stand against allowing foreign corporations the same rights as Filipino companies in exploiting the environment and controlling land and water resources.

KMU urged Duterte to hew closely to the anti-imperialist stand as he had in the past, noting that the mayor has taken a positive position on Charter change, which the labor group said "contradicts his (Duterte’s anti-globalization and anti-imperialist stance."

KMU–Southern Mindanao Secretary General Omar Bantayan responded to Duterte’s comments that the proposed items of the Charter change which is being pushed by the Arroyo regime are unknown.

"The proposed new charter strips away the protectionist economic guarantees stated in the provision on national patrimony, and allows foreign ownership of land, utililities, retail trade, media and educational institutions. Foreign capitalists will not only be granted control over utilities which are vital to the economy and national security such as water, energy and telecommunication, they will also be granted control on media and educational institutions which are very significant in shaping our culture, our minds, our values and aspirations as a sovereign people," Bantayan said.

"Mayor Duterte has been very vocal against the plunder of foreign monopoly capitalists of our natural and human resources. We are grateful for such. Fearfully though, such plunder would be enshrined in the laws of our land if we permit the Arroyo government to overhaul the 1987 Constitution."

Bantayan also stressed that our territorial integrity and national sovereignty will be put in peril by Charter change.

The Abueva Commission and the Congressional Committee on Constitutional Amendments are both united in recommending the inclusion of provisions which will guarantee the reestablishment of foreign military bases in the country and the entry of foreign troops.

"Duterte has consistenly stood with the people in our clamor against the Balikatan exercises. If Charter change passes, all peace-loving people of Davao will have to contend not only with Balikatan execises, but also with the reincarnation of the beast that we slew with the ouster of the US bases in 1991," the labor leader said.

"Furthermore, a change in the form of government to a parliamentary system will not render stability to this country, as claimed by many of Arroyo’s fans. This is a tactic of deception, aimed at prolonging Arroyo’s crumbling grip on power," Bantayan asserted.

"Unless the demand for jobs, decent wages, land and social services are given concrete attention, no matter what form of government is employed, the political and economic landscape of this country controlled by big business and big landlords will continue to deteriorate, and the calls for Gloria’s ouster will intensify," Bantayan emphasized.

Bantayan affirmed Duterte’s point that the militant groups and the local government of Davao hold different positions. "Davao is a city which thrives on diversity. We may hold different beliefs and ideologies, but we have critically collaborated and united on many issues which are imperative to the interest of Davaoenos and the Filipino people," Bantayan said.

"We hope that Duterte will consider the points we have raised. The proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution are detrimental to the interest of the majority of the people of Davao and the Philippines. Arroyo’s Charter change must be stopped," Bantayan concluded.