Champion of Workers’ Rights. Lawyer Democrito T. Mendoza, also called DTM in the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) community, was the founder of ALU and was president of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines for 36 years. Mendoza succumbed to a lingering illness last Tuesday. (Sun.Star File)
LABOR leader and founder of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU), lawyer Democrito T. Mendoza, died due to a lingering illness last Tuesday. He was 92.
Many consider him a champion of the Filipino workers’ rights, and was among those who defended the country against Japanese invaders during World War II.
He was the chairman of ALU, the biggest affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP). He was president of TUCP for 36 years.
Mendoza was also a member of the Governing Council of the Geneva-based International Labor Organization and was a founding president of the Association of South East Asian Nations Trade Union Council.
Using his influence in government to realize his dream of improving the lives of workers, he was instrumental in converting the National Arrastre and Stevedoring Corp. into Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp. (Opascor) during the time of President Corazon Aquino.
Opascor is now a successful workers’ enterprise where employees earn at least P800 a day.
War veteran
A World War II veteran and a military reservist, having a rank of full colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he served as a member of the board of the Philippine Veterans Bank.
In 2008, when he was 84 years old, he launched his autobiography, “Shapes of Memory,” hoping to inspire others and believe that “little things can lead you to big events that could make history.”
He also decided to write the book detailing his life to encourage young people to face challenges and be ready to risk everything to achieve a better life.
He is survived by his wife, former Social Security System (SSS) Commissioner Marianita D. Mendoza, his 14 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mendoza’s remains lie in state at the JSU-PSU Mariner’s Court at the ALU Compound in Pier 1, Cebu City.
A mass will be offered daily at 8 p.m. The family has yet to announce the date of the funeral.
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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