On November 23, regent workers led a gathering in light of their recent labor strike against

Regent Food Corporation. Allegedly, regent workers experienced labor violations from the corporation.

They experienced 14-hour shifts without overtime pay, contractualization, union busting, among others.

In the said gathering, Tita Cudiamat, president of the RFWU stated, “Kami na ang sinaktan, kami na ang

pinerwisyo ng dalawang dekada, kami pa ang masama”. According to the article, 23 people were

charged with physical injury at the Pasig City Hall of Justice, after their arrest on Saturday, November 9.

One out of the twenty- three people arrested was a bystander during the strike, Ronald Montilla

(tricycle driver). During the strike, there were at least 100 combined forces of goons, security guards,

and Philippine National Police who broke the picket line at the RFC compound, wounding several

workers on strike. Workers denounce the insulting actions of Regent owners Susan and Irwin See while

refusing to hear their demands for regularization, higher wages, and benefits. Susan See was seen

throwing a five-peso coin at the picket line while Ricky See resorted to profanity.  “Bubuksan ang

bintana ng kotse para mamakyu,” Cudiamat shared.

On November 17, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, expressed his disappointment against Regent

Food Corporation regarding on its hardline stance in the ongoing labor dispute. "To the management of

Regent Foods Corporation:  These people are not criminals; they do not have the goal of hurting you.

They are fighting for what they believe to be just. You can continue with the labor dispute without

sending the poor and powerless to jail! I condemn the misuse of your privileged position to suppress the

rights of your protesting workers. If you want to have a healthy relationship with our city, I highly

suggest you rethink your position," Sotto said on his Facebook page. Mayor Vico Sotto gave his sympathy

by posting bail to the detained Regent workers. Mayor Sotto asked, Irwin See and Susan See, to drop the

charges against the 23, but the company said that they will "just trust the judicial process". The Pasig

Mayor was dismay at company's reasoning, saying it was "easy to say as multimillionaires who will eat a

day no matter what happens here; while the people they have sued have recently lost their main source
of income and are now even torn away from their families." It was stated in the article, that the Pasig

Mayor will continue, within his power the help the detained workers.

On the other hand, RFC said that it would not be cowed by the “threats” of Pasig City Mayor

Vico Sotto in relation to the arrest of some of RFC’s striking workers. RFC believes that there was

nothing wrong in trusting the justice system, otherwise they would practically be encouraging civil

disobedience, lawlessness, and illegal use of force. It was also stated in the article, that RFC may accept

that the Pasig City Administration will unjustly make life hard for it and its 400-strong workforce, and

contemplate simply bringing its business elsewhere.

Articles:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/regent-foods-corporation-statement-vico-sotto-appeal

https://www.rappler.com/nation/police-arrest-regent-food-picket-dispersal