Makabayan Coalition asserted that the repeated use of Batas Pambansa (BP) 880 against protesters violates basic rights and freedom, following the Manila Police’s illegal assembly charges against 10 of 11 Makabayan senatorial candidates and three other progressive leaders.

According to Makabayan President Liza Maza, they received the summon yesterday, January 9, which was filed last December 17.

The ‘no-permit-rally policy’ is based on BP 880, which regulates the people's right to hold public assemblies, including protests and demonstrations, while maintaining public order and safety.

The Makabayan senatorial candidates that were lodged with charges include Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Secretary-General Jerome Adonis, former Bayan Muna and GABRIELA Rep. Maza, PAMALAKAYA Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairperson Danilo Ramos, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Party-List Representative France Castro, Filipino Nurses United Secretary-General Jocelyn Andamo, PISTON National President Mody Floranda, SANDUGO Secretary-General Amirah Lidasan, and KADAMAY Secretary-General Mimi Doringo.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna third nominee Ferdinand Gaite, ACT Chairperson Vladimir Quetua, and Alliance of Health Workers Secretary-General Cristy Donguines were also charged with the same complaints.

The charges stemmed from the Bonifacio Day commemoration, wherein some protesters faced criminal charges after anti-riot police blocked them from marching to the Mendiola Peace Arch last year, November 30. The protest erupted, prompting the rallyists to pass through the police barricade.

This marks the second set of trumped-up charges filed by the Manila police for the same event.

During the clash, Bayan Muna organizer Nilo Montifero was illegally detained for also allegedly violating BP 880, as well as for alleged cases of direct assault and disobedience of the Revised Penal Code, while KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog and several John Does faced charges of illegal assembly.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Makabayan President Maza emphasized that the trumped-up charges against them violate their right to peaceful assembly and expression of dissent, which should have been guaranteed in the Constitution.

“‘Yung charge sa amin, ‘yung violation of BP 880, which is illegal assembly, kasi ang sinasabi, wala raw kaming permission (The charge against us—the violation of BP 880, which is illegal assembly, because they claim we didn’t have permission), but we believe that BP 880 in itself is already a violation of our basic rights and freedom—[the] right to assemble peacefully, express our thoughts and opinion about the issues that our country is facing,” she stressed.

For the Makabayan president, the charges filed against them is a form of political harassment in light of the 2025 National and Local Elections, emphasizing their active campaign as candidates with ‘clear platforms.’

Moreover, Maza called for the outdated law’s repeal, arguing that it should have been junked a long time ago.

She also described BP 880 as a repressive measure due to its historical roots under the Marcos Sr. regime, wherein protests, criticisms, and dissent were suppressed. 

The former solon emphasized that the laws enacted during Martial Law, including BP 880, were never repealed and continue to exist under the administration of the dictator’s son, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.

Maza then opposed Marcos Jr.'s claim of respecting human rights, citing the continuous political repression, particularly in rural areas, where bombings, extrajudicial killings, and forced displacement of farmers and indigenous peoples persist. 

Meanwhile, the Makabayan president urged human rights leaders to remain united and not let their focus be diverted from echoing their platform to the masses.

“Dahil alam naman natin na nasa tama tayo at sila ‘yung nasa mali. Patuloy nating isusulong ‘yung ating mga adbokasiya at ating paglaban, lalong lalo na [para] sa mga naghihirap nating kababayan. Dapat na labanan natin ito (We will overcome these false political harassments because we know we are in the right and they are in the wrong. We will continue to advance our advocacies and our fight, especially for our suffering fellow citizens. We must stand up against this),” Maza affirmed. 

The same law was also used against five protesters, including two Makabayan senatorial candidates, Doringo and Floranda, last November for the mobilization against the Public Utility Vehicle Phaseout in August.

This also marks the third time the senatorial candidates have faced charges, as Castro was pronounced guilty of child abuse along with the Talaingod 13.

Makabayan is consulting with their lawyers and is prepared to defend themselves with a strong defense against the charges.

The preliminary investigation hearing has been scheduled next week, January 15. 

- Kasharelle Javier
(Photos by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate; Layout by Jonathan Carlos B. Ponio/FEU Advocate)