MANILA — Citizens and various groups joined the “Run for Accountability,” a marathon organized by the UP Diliman College of Science Student Council together with progressive organizations.

Jona Yang of Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said that the event was organized to express the people’s frustrations through creative means. “We want to explore different ways to encourage more people to take action in the fight against corruption,” Yang said, stressing that if people can run for mental health and similar causes, then people can also run to demand accountability.

The event followed a series of protests demanding transparency and justice over the alleged misuse of billions of pesos by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Participants wore bibs bearing calls condemning recent revelations about ghost projects and corruption under the Marcos Jr administration. Instead of funding over 9,000 flood control projects, billions of pesos were stolen.

Participants ran to hold government officials and contractors like Sara Discaya accountable for plundering billions of pesos, demanding that the money be returned and rechannel to public services.

Report and photos by Viggo Sarmago/Bulatlat