Visayas groups call on pubic to rise against ‘nationwide theft’ on September 21

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Church leaders, students, union leaders, and human rights activists urge the public to speak out against corruption amid the flood control controversy

CEBU, Philippines – From Iloilo to Samar, activists and advocates in the Visayas are calling on citizens to join the nationwide campaign against corruption in flood control projects on Sunday, September 21 — the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

“Kinahanglan maningil ta og accountability sa mga naa galingkod sa atong gobyerno hisgutanan sa grabeng kinawatay karon unya kuyog paninglon ang nalambigit nga mga kontraktor ug uban nga naa sa laing-laing ahensya sa gobyerno,” Bagong Alyansa Makabayan Central Visayas chairperson Jaime Paglinawan told Rappler on Thursday, September 18.

(We must demand accountability from those sitting in our government regarding the current serious theft, and hold accountable those contractors and other government agencies involved.)

Paglinawan emphasized the need for different sectors of society to participate in the nationwide protest, recalling how these had helped liberate the masses from dictatorship and corrupt leaders in the past.

Bohol environmentalist and outgoing Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy also called on faithfuls to stand against corruption during a farewell Mass at the Holy Name University.

“Remember, to steal from the poor is to steal from Christ Himself,” Uy said on Tuesday, September 16.

Uy will be leading a lighting ceremony during a walk against corruption, spearheaded by the Bohol Initiatives for Good Governance, in Tagbilaran City.

In Luzon, thousands of protesters are expected to converge at Luneta and the People Power Monument on Sunday. Other groups are also expected to set plans for protests in Northern Mindanao.

Youth rising up

Members of the youth have also begun organizing their movements for Sunday, urging more students and their fellow peers to take action through creative protests online and out in the streets.

Last September 15, the Western Visayas Youth and Students Alliance (WVYSA) met with other youth leaders to discuss campaigns ahead of the September 21 protest.

“Recognizing the need to establish the broadest network of youth formations collectively acting against corruption, Pamatan-on Kontra Korapsyon was officially inaugurated by the approximately 30 youth leaders that were united during the meeting,” WVYSA said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, September 17.

Their youth alliance is set to meet at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Iloilo City on Sunday to hold a march and concert at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

In Cebu, the Kabataan Partylist Cebu Chapter encouraged the public to join a symbolic protest at the Fuente Osmeña Boulevard at around 8 am on Sunday.

“Husto na. Sobra na. Tara na ug makighiusa kita para ipagawas atong mga kapakyasan batok sa mga pagpabaya sa estado ug pagbulsa sa kwarta sa katawhan nga gipanguluhan ni Marcos Jr.,” the group’s statement read.

(Enough! Let us come together and unite to express our frustrations against the state’s negligence and pocketing of the people’s money led by Marcos Jr.)

Youth group Waray Na in Catbalogan City, Samar, also announced on Thursday, that they will hold a 3 pm Mass at the St. Bartholomew Parish on Sunday, to be followed by a solidarity walk and a covenant signing for youth against corruption.

“Let us work together to build a Samar where governance is honest, fair, and always for the people,” Waray Na said in a social media post.

– Rappler.com