CORRUPTION in flood control projects has sparked waves of dissent as the country confronts a deepening crisis of graft and mismanagement in big-ticket public works.
On Sept. 13, protesters gathered at the historic EDSA Shrine to denounce anomalies in governance and the misuse of public funds, particularly in flood control projects.
The protest, organized by Kalayaan Kontra Korapsyon, drew participation from progressive groups including Panday Sining, Anakbayan, and the Kabataan partylist.
“‘Yong pagpunta natin sa mga pagkilos katulad na lamang ng ngayong araw ay isang pakikibaka, na mayroong mga kabataang estudyante na nais baguhin ‘yong corrupt system ngayon sa loob ng gobyerno,” first-year philosophy major Raven Racelis said.
An independent commission is set to investigate the anomalous flood projects. It is composed of former public works and highways secretary Rogelio Singson, accountant-lawyer Rossan Fajardo and Mayor Benjamin Magalong of Baguio.
For Francis “Kiko” Aquino Dee, senior lecturer in political science at the University of the Philippines, Congress must exact accountability.
“Sana magkaroon ng totoong ngipin, kailangan ng corresponding na batas mula sa Kongreso na magbibigay ng subpoena at contempt powers sa commission,” said Dee, a member of the prominent Aquino family.
A more extreme measure must be taken to address systemic corruption, said ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio.
“Walang ibang solusyon dito kundi ang pagsama-samang pagkilos ng taong-bayan. Kailangang panagutin ang mga dapat managot, pero kailangan din baguhin ang sistema,” he said.
Thomasians present at the rally called for accountability and youth participation in political discourse.
“Kung binabaha tayo sa España, bahain rin natin ng protesta ‘yong panawagan natin, ‘yong ating mungkahi na bigyan tayo ng suporta, ng representasyon, palayain ang ating tinig, at baguhin ‘yong ganitong kaayusan,” said Justine Badilla, a humanities and social sciences student.
On Sept. 12, the country saw 13 rallies across Metro Manila, referred to as the “Black Friday” protests.
Students at the University of the Philippines Diliman wore black shirts for a campus protest with a similar theme.
John Fariñas, a junior political science student, skipped classes and dedicated his protest participation to his parents.
“Inaalay ko ito para sa mga magulang ko na sawang-sawa nang nakikita ‘yong mga tax nilang binabayaran na napupunta lang sa wala,” he said.
For Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co, the protest at EDSA was reminiscent of the ouster of the administrations of Joseph Estrada and Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“Nandito tayo dahil ang kabataan, we are taking ownership of our future,” Co said.
More protests are set to take place at Luneta Park and EDSA Shrine on Sept. 21, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law in 1972.
