PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said if he were not the president, he would join the September 21 protests against government corruption, specifically in flood control projects.
Speaking at a press conference in Malacañang, Marcos said he cannot blame citizens for joining rallies to express their anger and disappointment over widespread corruption in the government.
He said he agrees with protesters, stating, “I am angry too,” affirming that public fury over corruption is justified and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
Marcos defended the public’s right to protest, asking, “Do you blame them? What’s happening is not right,” and insisted that the officials behind the corruption must be “answerable for the wrongdoings that they have done.”
He encouraged people to show their rage, anger, and disappointment, and to demand justice and fairness. “There is nothing wrong with that,” he said, saying that he shares the desire for accountability.
Marcos stated that he also seeks to uncover how the corruption of government funds has escalated, a problem he noted has persisted for years.
The president, however, urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
He urged the public to make their anger known, encouraging them to demonstrate and “shout” about how they had been “hurt and robbed” by corrupt officials. He strongly supported their right to protest but emphasized that all actions must remain peaceful.
Nationwide rallies are scheduled from September 15 to 21 to protest massive government corruption and alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
These include an indignation rally and Black Monday protest in the University of the Philippines Cebu and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines on September 15.
Rallies are also planned for September 18, including the “People’s Rally Laban sa Katiwalian” in Pampanga and a protest by the Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) at the DPWH Office in Quezon City.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan will also organize a rally on September 21 at Luneta Park in Manila.
