Mangingisda naman! (Fisherfolk for a change!) This was the cry in Navotas on August 19 when Ronnel Arambulo of Pamalakaya announced that he would run for senator in the 2025 election. His announcement was made in the fishing community on P. De Vera St in the city, whose livelihoods is facing demolition to allow the reclamation project of San Miguel Corporation. Fellow fisherfolk, workers, urban poor, farmers and indigenous people, as well as the youth, attended his rally.

Arambulo has been fighting for more than two decades, first as a youth activist, and later as a fisherfolk activist. A native of Rizal, he came from a poor family of fisherfolk in Malakaban, Talim Island, Binangonan. He became a youth and student leader and member of Anakbayan in the mid-2000s. In 2007, he became a member of Pamalakaya. He served as chairman of Anakpawis Partylist in Binangonan and was elected provincial leader of Anakpawis-Rizal. He also served as councilor of Barangay Makalaban for six years. He is a fisherman in Laguna de Bay. At the age of 48, he now stands as Pamalakaya’s vice chairperson.

As a Pamalakaya official, he led the resistance of coastal communities against reclamation, privatization and other forms of conversion on waters and oceans. Recently, he has been part of protests to assert the fishing rights of Filipino fisherfolk who are being prohibited by China. At the same time, he stands for the expulsion of American forces from Philippine maritime territory.

“In the West Philippine Sea, Filipinos are continuously restrained from fishing by the increasing military presence not only of China, but also of its rival countries such as the United States… In other major fisheries such as Manila Bay, etc. calamities suffered by fisherfolk as a result of reclamation and other forms of privatization is prevalent,” Arambulo said.

“Fsherfolk representation is as important as representing the working class. It is important to propagate the true situation and clamor of the sectors that are the foundation of the economy and society,” Kilusang Mayo Uno stated.

“It’s time we have a real voice that will carry the agenda of the fisherfolk and farmers to the Senate. All peasant women support Ronnel Arambulo because he is a consistent defender of the rights of fisherfolk and he fights for national sovereignty,” Cathy Estavillo, Amihan general secretary and Gabriela Women’s Party consultant on issues related to women farmers, said.

“In the face of the ongoing and worsening threats to our oceans, fisheries, and coastal communities due to environmental plunder—which has made fishermen the poorest sector—it’s time for the fishing sector to have a representative in the Senate,” said the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, which endorsed his candidacy. “Beyond their vital role as producers of our food, fishermen are at the forefront of defending our oceans and marine life.”

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas also expressed support for Arambulo. It said representatives like him who are from the grassroots sector are needed in the Senate to promote progressive laws and reforms for the well-being of the majority. “A new politics of change is needed as an alternative to the current rotten politics dominated by dynasties,” it said.

“We are proud to welcome Ronnel Arambulo to the Makabayan senatorial slate,” Makabayan co-chairperson Neri Colmenares said. “His extensive experience as a grassroots leader and tireless advocate for the rights of fisherfolk makes him an invaluable addition to our team.”

“Ka Ronnel Arambulo can count on the vote of thousands of Navotas fisherfolk,” fisherfolk under Pamalakaya-Navotas declared. “We will tirelessly campaign for him. Because his victory is our victory!”

Arambulo is Makabayan’s fifth candidate. Along with Rep. France Castro, Rep. Arlene Brosas, Ka Jerome Adonis and former Rep. Liza Maza, who earlier announced.

#MangingisdaNaman2025