PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday said that if he were not the head of the country, he would join Filipinos on the streets on September 21 to protest massive corruption, especially those in connection with the flood control projects.
The President, in a press conference in Malacanang, said he cannot blame the people for joining rallies and expressing their anger and disappointment with the massive corruption that has been happening.
Marcos said he himself is angry and wants the culprits held accountable.
He said corruption activities had been going on for a time and he wants to find out how the situation got worse.
“Do you blame them for going out into the streets? If I weren’t president, I might be out in the streets with them. So, you know, of course, they are enraged. Of course, they are angry. I am angry. We should all be angry. Because what’s happening is not right. So, yes, express it. You come, you make your feelings known to these people and make them answerable for the wrongdoings that they have done,” he said.
The President, however, urged the public to keep their protest actions peaceful and within the bounds of the law.
“Ipaalam ninyo, ipaalam ninyo ang sentimyento ninyo, ipaalam ninyo kung papano nila kayo sinaktan, kung papano nila kayo ninakawan nitong mga ito. Ipaalam ninyo sa kanila, sigawan ninyo, lahat gawin ninyo, mag-demonstrate, just keep it peaceful (Let them know, let them know your sentiments, let them know how they hurt you, how they robbed you. Let them know, shout at them, do whatever you want, demonstrate, just keep it peaceful),” he said.
“But to show that you are enraged, to show that you are angry, to show that you are disappointed, to show that you want justice, to show that you want fairness, what’s wrong with that? I want to show that there’s justice. I want to show that there is fairness. I want to show, I want to hold these people accountable, just like they do. So, I don’t blame them. I don’t blame them. Not one bit,” Marcos added.
Several rallies are set to be staged from September 15 to 21 in different parts of the country against massive corruption and the alleged anomalous flood control projects in the country.
Among them are the indignation rally and Black Monday protest by members of the University of the Philippines Cebu and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines yesterday; and the People’s Rally Laban sa Katiwalian and Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan on September 18 in Pampanga and the DPWH Office in Quezon City, respectively.
On September 21, rallies led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan are being mobilized at the Luneta Park in Manila.
NO THREAT MONITORED
The Manila Police District (MPD) said it has not monitored any threat in relation to the mass protest scheduled at Luneta Park in Manila on September 21.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame yesterday, MPD spokesperson Maj. Philip Ines said 1,000 policemen will be deployed to secure the rally.
The rally is being organized by several groups to protest corruption in flood control projects involving government officials, including lawmakers, and contractors.
“As of now, we have not received (information about) any threat,” said Ines, adding that the MPD will continue to assess the situation.
“We’re conducting an assessment, evaluation. We’re looking into the level of threat. However, as I said, we have not received any threat,” added Ines.
Ines said the MPD will observe maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesters, adding they will allow the protesters to air their grievances as long as their activity is “organized, calm and orderly.”
“Overall, we’re dedicating 1,000 personnel as of now,” said Ines when asked about the number of policemen the MPD will deploy to ensure peace and order during the rally.
In case a huge number of protesters show up during the rally, Ines said augmentation forces may be deployed by the National Capital Region Police Office to the area.
In a statement, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the PNP “respects the right of our people to air their grievances through peaceful assemblies.”
Nevertheless, Nartatez said they will not allow any group or individual “to take advantage of the situation to sow chaos and violence.”
“Our duty is clear – to ensure public safety and maintain peace and order,” said Nartatez.
He stressed the PNP will exercise maximum tolerance but will remain steadfast in upholding the law against any acts that may endanger lives or property.
“The PNP stands with the Filipino people. We will continue to serve with professionalism, fairness, and integrity to protect our communities. As we safeguard the peace, we call on everyone to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding,” said Nartatez. – With Victor Reyes and Gerard Naval
RALLY CALL
Filipinos were strongly encouraged to join the massive rally planned on September 21 at the historic People Power Monument in Quezon City and make their voices against the corruption-ridden flood control projects heard.
In a press conference yesterday in Quezon City, religious leaders and civil society organizations said they are inviting all Filipinos against corruption to join the protest actions dubbed as Trillion Peso March Against Corruption (TPM).
“On September 21, a solidarity of church, basic sectors, and communities will be holding a Trillion Peso March Against Corruption at the People Power Monument along EDSA. We come together to demand justice and accountability,” said the joint statement read by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) – Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice, and Peace (ECSA-JP) Chairman Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo.
“We call on the Filipino people to join in the growing call for accountability in every part of the Philippines. Let this be the moment that we finally overcome the plague of corruption in our country,” he added. “Let’s unite, set aside differences, and show the power of the people against the flood control fund anomalies.”
A total of 211 church groups, political parties, universities, civil society organizations, and youth and student movements, as well as 56 individuals, have expressed their support for the protest actions set on the 53rd Anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law in 1972.
“So far, we estimate that 15,000 people will gather at the People Power Monument, although we are continuing to monitor the numbers as they are still likely to increase,” said TPM Spokesperson Francis Aquino Dee.
Bagaforo said the public must make their voices heard against corruption, particularly the corruption-ridden flood control projects.
He said this is because most Filipinos are left to fend for themselves while “their homes are wrecked by floodwater and their loved ones are struck by flood-borne diseases like leptospirosis.”
“This attack on the nation’s coffers is carried out brazenly without any attempt from the alleged perpetrators to hide their obscene lifestyles,” said the prelate.
“Can plunderers have any shame? This Imeldific level of greed, coupled with tasteless, relentless, and remorseless display of unexplained wealth, calls us to say: tama na!” added Bagaforo.
NOT-ANTI MARCOS
Organizers stressed that the activity is not aimed at President Marcos Jr. and his administration, or any other political personality.
According to Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association (MAPSA) Co-Convenor Fr. Albert Delvo, the activity is dedicated purely to condemning corruption.
“The activity does not include holding Mr. Marcos accountable or removing Mr. Marcos. No. It is not organized to overthrow any administration. Absolutely, no. This is about the fight against corruption,” said Delvo.
“There is no agenda against the President, no agenda against the administration, no agenda to bring home Mr. (Rodrigo) Duterte. There is nothing like that. It is only about fighting corruption,” he added.
In contrast, Delvo said they are thankful that Marcos is the one spearheading the fight against corruption-ridden flood control projects. – With Victor Reyes and Gerard Naval
