Sonny Matula

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Jose Sonny Gito Matula is a labor leader and current president of Federation of Free Workers. He was a senatorial candidate in 2019 and 2022.

Matula was born in January 21, 1965, in Sultan sa Barongis, Cotabato (now part of Maguindanao del Sur) but grew up in the town of Loreto, Agusan del Sur.^[1][2] He was the valedictorian of Loreto Central Elementary School. He later moved to Butuan and attended Agusan National High School and simultaneously worked as a newsboy to support his studies. Matula pursued higher education at Mindanao State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science.^[2]

Sonny Matula began his career as a legal counsel, serving in this capacity for over 20 years. In 2001, he became the executive director of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, a position he held until 2002.^[3] From 2006 to 2010, Matula served as a commissioner of the Social Security System (SSS). During this time, he also became a representative at the International Labor Conferences and held other significant roles in labor advocacy.^[4]

In the labor movement, Matula has been a leading figure, serving as the president of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW). He also became the Vice President of FFW from 2009 to 2021, and later chaired the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition.^[5] His advocacy focuses on labor rights, wage increases, and worker protection, and he continues to lead efforts within these organizations.^[6]

Matula entered politics by running for a Senate seat in the 2019 Philippine Senate elections, where he placed 50th out of 62 candidates with 400,339 votes.^[5][7] In 2022, he was chosen as the 12th candidate for the Team Robredo–Pangilinan coalition, running as an independent politician. He was also endorsed by the Makabayan Coalition in their senatorial lineup.^[8][9]

Matula was included by Leni Robredo on her senate slate for the 2022 Senate election. Allegations were made that Matula and the FFW supported Robredo's rival, Bongbong Marcos in the 2016 vice presidential election. Matula denied ever formally endorsing Marcos, stated that Marcos was only an attendee of an election forum but also other candidates were extended the courtesy of an invitation for the event.^[10]

Matula advocates for stricter enforcement of the Labor Code by increasing penalties for violations. He supports raising the fine from ₱1,000 to ₱50,000, arguing that "employers violate the labor code frequently because the penalty is low." This stance follows a law previously filed by Senator Win Gatchalian, which was later vetoed by former President Rodrigo Duterte.^[11]

Matula also pushes for job creation outside Metro Manila and calls on Congress to revise the Wage Rationalization Act (Republic Act No. 6727). He advocates for higher minimum wages in rural areas of the Philippines.^[12]

Matula is married to Melba Cubal, an accountancy university instructor with whom he has two children. They reside in Biñan, Laguna.^[2]