By Kenneth Christian L. Basilio, reporter
And Erica Mae P. Sinaking
Thousands of Filipinos marched through the streets of the Philippine capital on Sunday to denounce corruption in the government, increasing public pressure to take action and hold officials involved in unusual flood control projects accountable.
About 3,000 people joined an anti-corruption protest led by leftist groups in Manila's Luneta Park, demanding the resignation of officials linked to the billion-peso scam, the city's disaster risk reduction management office said in a Facebook post. While according to Quezon City police, 4,500 protesters gathered in a separate rally at the EDSA People Power Monument.
Rafaela David, president of the Akbayan Party, which organized the EDSA rally, said on the sidelines of the protest that the government should also start arresting top officials linked to the corruption scandal. “We should be jailing not just the big fish, but the big fish,” he said.
“All fish must be caught, all fish must be answered, and there must be one big fish that must be caught before Christmas.”
The November 30 protests coincide with the birth anniversary of Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio, who was a key figure in the country's rebellion against Spain in the 1890s. Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of people march through the streets of the capital on that day, and activists use the commemoration to amplify their calls.
Ms David said Sunday's protests also called for an end to political dynasty politics, which has fueled corruption in government.
He said, “We see that the people who rule the country are political dynasties, and they abuse the power given to them.” “For Bonifacio's sake, we want to make sure that the people are ruling, not just a few families.”
“Our call today is to end corruption by ending political dynasty rule,” he said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. earlier said the government has spent P545 billion on flood control structures since he took office in 2022, with about P100 billion worth of projects stuck due to only 15 contracts, some of which are owned by political families. The investigation also revealed that hundreds of projects were substandard, poorly documented, or non-existent.
He had tried to calm public anger over the scandal by announcing the arrest of officials accused in unusual flood control infrastructure deals, an issue that has irked many Filipinos.
“We are urging Mr. Marcos that if he is serious in his anti-corruption campaign, he should certify the anti-dynasty bill as an immediate measure,” Ms. David said.
The controversy has also prompted the influential Catholic Church to join rallies against the controversy, seen as offering “moral authority” that the public will not find among the country's leaders.
“The Church is a moral authority, and it is providing what we desperately lack now,” Francis “Kiko” Ade, spokesman for the anti-corruption group Trillion Peso March Movement, told reporters. “We can't look to the President, we can't look to the Vice President, we can't look to Congress for that moral authority.”
He said, “What the church is offering is a contradiction in terms – they have no other interest than demanding accountability from the authorities.”
Luneta Rally
Protestors clashed early in the morning at Luneta Park after the Philippine National Police (PNP) prevented organizers from setting up their stage.
David Michael San Juan, De La Salle University professor and coordinator of the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnancaw at the Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA), said the police action was in contrast to the group's previous rally in September with smooth coordination with Manila authorities and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
“We were not allowed to set up our stage, sound system and other equipment, which delayed everything,” he said. businessworld At the event “Baha sa Luneta 2.0”.
Mr. San Juan said that during prior coordination, Manila City officials had assured organizers that the same level of support given to the Iglesia ni Cristo rally and the September 21 assembly would be extended to the current event.
The Bagong Aliansang Makabayan (Bayan) estimated that 20,000 people attended the entire day.
Bayan chairperson Teodoro “Teddy” A. Casino assured that they were back on track despite the setback, which affected the schedule and weakened the sound system and other technical equipment. “What the police did was actually sabotage,” he said.
Mr Cassino said the November 30 rally builds on public calls for accountability during the September 21 protests.
“But this time the name of President Bongbong Marcos came up. People are now demanding the resignation of Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte,” he said.
“They demanded more from the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) and congressional investigations. More people believed that tougher measures were necessary to stop corruption.” The event concluded with a march from Rizal Park to Mendiola.
don't bend
Calls for Mr. Marcos' resignation intensified when House Appropriations Committee Chairman and resigning lawmaker Elizaldi S. The company accused the President of profiting from unusual flood deals.
However, the palace said the president would not bow to growing calls for his resignation as large crowds gathered in the capital on Sunday to protest over a billion-peso flood control scandal.
Acting Communications Secretary Dave M. Gomez said the government is closely monitoring the demonstrations sparked by allegations that high-ranking officials and government contractors stole public funds for flood mitigation projects.
“We respect people's right to assemble peacefully,” he said in a broadcast interview in mixed English and Filipino. “We hear their anger, and we feel their frustration.”
Mr. Marcos, whose name has been dragged into the controversy, “will not be deterred” by ultimatums from groups demanding his removal, Mr. Gomez said.
He said the President had revealed the discrepancies in his State of the Nation address last July and said Mr Marcos intended to finish the job and move forward with the investigation.
Public anger has increased as new allegations have surfaced, increasing concerns about political instability. Mr. Gomez acknowledged the growing discontent, but urged patience, citing the need for due process.
He said only three months had passed since the scam was exposed, compared to a year-long investigation into the previous pork-barrel scheme.
He said several suspects had already been charged or arrested, and more people, including “big fish”, could face action before Christmas.
Mr. Gomez defeated former House Appropriations Chairman Elizaldi S. Also rejected allegations of corruption of the company, which is releasing videos from abroad.
The administration would not “honor” the claims of “fugitives from justice,” he said, adding that Mr. Marcos would only respond if Mr. Co returned to the Philippines and testified under oath.
Mr Gomez reiterated that the chief executive has ordered investigators to proceed without immunity.
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, who also faces corruption charges, is constitutionally guaranteed to assume the presidency if Mr. Marcos steps down. Ms. Duterte has been accused of misappropriation of funds, unexplained assets, attempts to destabilize President Marcos, his wife, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is accused of plotting to murder him. He has denied any wrongdoing.
In a separate statement, the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO), a group of retired top generals, said they had heard “political noises” urging the military to withdraw support for Mr Marcos, but insisted it was choosing not to interfere in politics.
“We strongly condemn and reject any call for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to engage in unconstitutional acts or military adventurism,” the AGFO said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Browder said in October that an earlier coup attempt by a retired military officer had failed after he failed to secure the support of the armed forces.
The Philippines is no stranger to coup attempts, with more than a dozen military coups since the restoration of democracy in 1986 following the overthrow of the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. by a popular street rebellion.
Each succeeding president has faced the threat of a coup by disgruntled soldiers, the younger Marcos' predecessor being former President Rodrigo R. Duterte faces alleged plots to oust him from office during his 2016-2022 presidency. , with Chloe Marie A Hufana
