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“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.”
For Joshua San Pedro, co-convenor of the Coalition for People’s Right to Health, corruption will persist until a comprehensive public health care is established and there are no more gaps in social services that may be taken advantage of and profited from.
Wala na tayong pera. 'Yan ang sabi ng madamot at malupit na pangulo. Kagaya ng babae at lalaking nakaranas ng pagdaloy ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos, huwag tayong pumayag na ipagkait sa atin at sa ating mga mahal sa buhay ang yaman ng ating sariling bansa.
"The widespread corruption in the government is the reason why OFWs are strongly against the planned mandatory PhilHealth and premium rate hike. OFWs cannot entrust the government that their hard-earned money will benefit their families and the rest of the Filipino people."
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