Veteran peasant-farmer Danilo Ramos (Ka Daning) announced his candidacy for senator in the upcoming 2025 election yesterday, August 22, in Malolos, Bulacan. He is the seventh candidate of the Makabayan Coalition. Ramos, current chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), will challenge the dominance of dynasties, landlords and the comprador bourgeoisie in the senate.

“I accept the challenge and mission of Makabayan in promoting the interests of farmers and the people before the Senate. With my peasant experience, I will further support genuine land reform and agrarian development, and genuine development for my fellow poor as well as Filipinos inside and outside the country,” Ramos said.

The 67-year-old Ramos is from a family of tenants farmers in the town of Malolos. In his youth, he was forced to stop studying in high school to help his parents earn a living. He planted rice, mangoes and other vegetables, working from 5 in the morning until 11 at night.

In 1983, Ramos was elected general secretary of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB) during the height of the Marcos dictatorship. Unwavering in leading the campaign and struggle of the peasant masses, he became the spokesperson of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon in 1988 and served as its general secretary from 1989 to 1993. In 1993, he was elected as KMP’s secretary general.

Ramos was among the surviving farmers in the brutal and bloody Mendiola Massacre in 1987 where the Philippine National Police, under the Aquino I regime, shot thousands of farmers clamoring for the free distribution of land.

Along with promoting genuine land reform, Ramos expressed support for policies and programs for affordable rice prices, food sufficiency and improving local production. As a farmer, he has concrete grasp of the sector’s needs. He also presented actual proposals on how to achieve these in his speech.

Ramos’ announcement was witnessed by his fellow farmers, fellow Malolos townsfolk and groups that support farmers’ rights. Together, they pledged to “plant a farmer in the Senate!” Farming groups from various parts of the country also expressed their support for Ramos’ candidacy.

“He is tested, firm and determined in advancing the long-standing aspirations and interests of the peasant class. Being from a farmer’s family and becoming a worker is why he feels the real condition of the sector he serves within the four decades of his life,” the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol said.

Ramos’ announcement follows proclamations by ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Arlene Brosas, Jerome Adonis of Kilusang Mayo Uno, fisherfolk leader Ronnel Arambulo of Pamalakaya, women’s leader and former official of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, Liza Masa, and Teddy Casino, chairperson of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.