STUDENTS from schools across the University-belt (U-Belt) area mounted the National Day of Walkout Against Corruption on Nov. 21, ahead of a larger anti-corruption protest on Nov. 30 at Rizal Park (Luneta).
The protest was initiated by the Youth Rage Against Corruption (YRAC) alliance, which is calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Tiffany Brilliante, national convener of YRAC, said the protest was joined by various student councils and youth organizations to call for the ouster of top officials involved in massive corruption.
“Iisa ‘yong malinaw na mensahe ng mga kabataang estudyante mula sa iba’t ibang pamantasan na lumahok ngayong araw—para kay Marcos Jr., Sara Duterte, at sa lahat ng sangkot sa korapsyon sa ating bansa, sa ating gobyerno: mag-resign na sila sa pwesto dahil sa malinaw na pagtataksil sa tiwala ng mamamayan,” she said.
“Malinaw sa mga kabataang estudyante na ito ay pagnanakaw sa ating kinabukasan,” Brillante added.
Kabataan Rep. Renee Co, called for accountability from the two highest officials of the country amid shakeup controversies in Malacañang and issues on corruption.
“Kailangang mag-explain ni Marcos Jr., kailangan niyang managot sa mga nangyayari…imposibleng walang go-signal from the very one on top,” she told the Varsitarian. “That’s why tayo, ang panawagan, lahat ng sangkot dapat managot, especially ang mga nasa tuktok, si President Marcos Jr. and even VP Sara Duterte.”
Contingents from UST assembled in front of the St. Raymund de Peñafort Building and marched along Dapitan and Padre Noval Street before meeting the main body at España Boulevard.
Central Student Council President Annie Agon said the Thomasian contingent joined the protest to embody UST’s core values and to oppose institutions and leaders who, she argued, did not uphold the same principles.
Agon said that students continue to struggle for academic freedom, calling out moves to give space to anti-insurgency agency National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict during a recent forum on “terror-grooming” in UST.
“Mas gusto nilang bigyan pa ng academic space daw ang NTF-ELCAC kaysa sa aming mga student council na inelect mismo ng estudyante … na hindi man lang inuuna ang welfare ng students, hindi man lang inuuna ang welfare ng mga Pilipino,” Agon said.
Among those who joined the demonstration on España Boulevard are students from the National Teachers College, Far Eastern University, University of the East, and Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology.
Students from the University of the Philippines Manila, Philippine Normal University, De La Salle University, Mapua University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, and other groups convened at Recto Avenue, before heading out to Mendiola.
According to YRAC, an estimated 700 student protesters participated in the program held at the Mendiola Peace Arch.
On Nov. 30, the youth protesters will again join in the “Protestang Bayan Kontra Kurakot,” marching from Luneta to Mendiola in a renewed call against corruption.
