THE Akbayan Reform Bloc in Congress, comprised of Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, on Monday expressed their support for a big protest rally on September 21 at the People Power Monument in Edsa to hold all those responsible accountable for the multi-trillion flood control corruption scandal.
In a press conference today in Quezon City, the protest, which carries the theme “Trillion Peso March,” was formally announced by the Simbahan at Komunidad laban sa Katiwalian (SIKLAB), the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation (CLCNT), Tindig Pilipinas, Akbayan Party, Kalipunan, and the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition.
The event will coincide with the country’s commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law. Akbayan said that they want to channel the spirit of EDSA, which defeated corruption in critical moments of the country’s history.
Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno highlighted that plunder is the cruelest form of robbery against the people: “Ang kaban ng bayan ay galing sa luha at pawis ng taumbayan. Tungkulin natin bilang mamamayan na ito’y bantayan, tiyakin na nagagamit sa tama, at hindi napupunta sa bulsa ng mga tiwaling opisyal at kanilang mga kasabwat.”
“Ngayon ang panahon para tayo’y tumindig at magkaisa laban sa korapsyon,” he added.
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña reminded the public that the massive corruption scandal cuts across administrations, especially during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte. He also called on the people to be vigilant as forces, particularly those aligned with the Dutertes, are attempting to hijack the people’s legitimate anger.
“Panagutin natin ang lahat, lalong lalo na ang mga mandarambong noong panahon ni Duterte. Tandaan, lumobo ang iligal na kayamanan ng mga Discaya noong nakaraang administrasyon. Bilyon-bilyon din ang hindi maipaliwanag na flood control at infrastructure projects ng nakaraang pamunuan. Huwag na huwag tayong makakalimot, lalo na at pilit nila itong pinagtatakpan, at tinatangkang gamitin ang ating galit para sa kanilang interes. Huwag tayong papayag.”
Cendaña also hit what he called the “repeat plunderers” who have continuously looted the nation’s coffers with impunity. “Nailantad na ng paulit-ulit, nakasuhan na at nakulong pa ng makailang ulit ang iba, pero tila ginawa na talaga nilang bisyo ang pagnanakaw. For the longest time, they have abused our institutions as safe havens for their corrupt practices. Tama na! Let’s make this country unsafe and inhospitable to all plunderers, especially the repeat offenders.”
For her part, Akbayan Rep. Dadah Ismula lamented the rampant corruption scandal in government, pointing out its direct toll on ordinary citizens: “Nakakagalit na habang iilan ay lantarang ninanakaw at nilulustay ang kaban ng bayan, milyun-milyong pamilya ang nagsusumikap para lang may makain. Nakakahiya na habang ang iba’y nagbubulsa ng bilyon-bilyon, ang karaniwang Pilipino ay lumulusong sa baha para makapasok sa trabaho.”
Akbayan said the groups chose Edsa as the venue of their protest because of its critical significance in today’s context. “In 1986, we gathered at Edsa to end the plunder under Martial Law. In 2001, we rose up against the corruption of the Estrada administration. In 2013, inspired by Edsa, we joined the Million People March to fight the Napoles pork barrel scam. Today, we seek to channel that same spirit once more,” Cendaña said.
