ADVERTISEMENT
If Marcos Jr is sincere in fighting corruption, then he needs to explain the proposed P10.7-billion confidential funds of the Office of the President in the 2026 proposed budget.
Progressive groups stormed Luneta in a mass action to denounce what they called massive corruption in flood control and other government infrastructure projects. They condemned the diversion of billions of pesos to anomalous contracts and kickbacks, stressing that such public funds could have been channeled instead to essential social services. They argued that the money pocketed on corruption could have strengthened the country’s ailing public hospitals, financed the construction of much-needed classrooms, and provided long-overdue salary increases for workers.
The multi-billion peso corruption scandal could have been used to fund healthcare facilities, education, and other basic social services. Instead of respecting people’s right to protest against corruption, the government responded with violence.
"It's time to make militant resistance the defining characteristic of the youth again."
“While corrupt officials and abusive authorities remain unaccountable, it is ordinary citizens, especially children who face violent arrests and continued deprivation of their rights. This stark double standard must end. And in any way unacceptable to violate children’s rights in this most brutal and traumatizing manner."
The situation escalated further when police deployed tear gas.
Whether in Luneta, EDSA or the cities where protests were held, the target of popular outrage were the politicians, public officials and contractors.
Thousands gathered at Luneta earlier today, Sept. 21, to denounce corruption and demand accountability over flood control projects mired in controversy.
Karapatan said the police’s conduct against the young protesters can be likened to the kind of disproportionate and excessive force employed by Marcos Sr. in quelling street protests during martial law.
"We are inspired by the creative activism of the youth who led their delegations from various schools and communities. We marched with flood victims, the urban poor, farmers, workers, and ordinary Filipinos who are united in condemning the entrenched corruption in the bureaucracy."
Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co is not related to Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.
The most obvious irony is that the flood control projects are his initiatives under the Build Better More infrastructure program, and that some of the public officials involved in the corruption behind the defective projects are the same ones who are applauding the President enthusiastically in the plenary hall.
Inside Batasan, Marcos Jr. identified accomplishments in infrastructure, health care, and food subsidy. But activists said that the speech was marked more by omissions than solutions.
“There was no mention of the elephant in the room—the corruption and impunity,” said Renato Reyes Jr., president of BAYAN.
Promises and so-called achievements filled the one hour and eleven minutes speech of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, Monday. What are the critical issues did he miss to address?
“They have no moral ascendancy. It is urgent for us to call on Congress, the Senate, and Marcos Jr to act now. Let us push for the impeachment of Sara so that we would have justice. If the impeachment would not push through, this means that Marcos Jr is complacent amid the corruption in our country.”
A community of readers and supporters that help us sustain our operations through microdonations for as low as $1.