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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Time to take action

Time to take action

Published Sep 13, 2025 12:05 am  |  Updated Sep 12, 2025 06:23 pm
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This week, a diverse group of individuals and organizations gathered in Quezon City and took the initiative to call for a rally against corruption and nepotism on Sept. 21 at the Luneta.
Prof. David San Juan of the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance, and environmentalist Niña Fegi of Panatang Luntian Coalition, convened the meeting.
There were students and young professionals — Gen Z, represent —among them. They needed no convincing. During the meeting, the students matter-of-factly announced walkouts this very week at campuses of the University of the Philippines.
The call for the Sept. 21 rally proved correct as within hours of its initial, low-key announcement, thousands have responded and declared their full-fledged participation.
Many are obviously looking forward to an opportunity to express their indignation over the scandals plaguing flood control projects and other public expenditures.
Two statements — a call to action written in compelling Filipino, and a list of rally demands — are being circulated among the convenors and initiators for their signature.
The call to action summons everyone who are fed up with the floods and outraged by the thievery and plunder, to come together and rise in righteous indignation over corruption in government. Extravagant displays of purportedly ill-gotten wealth are an insult to ordinary people who are “worked to death” for measly wages while being saddled by increasing taxes and rising prices. It recalls past anti-corruption battles, and how the corrupt have managed to continue their corrupt ways in the worst possible manner.
The list of demands include:
* Investigate and prosecute everyone involved in the scandals of ghost projects, bribery, insertions, patronage, nepotism, plunder, and corruption.
* Disclose and release the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of all government officials; and have them sign bank secrecy waivers.
* Ban and blacklist cheating contractors and service providers, and publish the list online and in the offices of government procuring units.
* Tighten divestment rules that allow politicians to manipulate laws to suit their private and long-term interests.
* Make every company seeking a government contract disclose contacts and relationships with any government official (and vice versa).
* Recover and seize all stolen public funds.
* Open bicameral conference proceedings.
* Pass the Freedom of Information Law.
It is crystal clear to convenors, organizers and collaborators that the battle against corruption cannot be left to the government. With the slogan “tayo ang solusyon (We are the solution)," the rally seeks to drive home the point that public vigilance and action are necessary to combat the decades-old problem of corruption.
As of press time, the partial list of signatories to the Luneta rally call to action include: Angel Lopez of the UP Engineering Student Council; Philippine Medical Students Association’s Dr. Gil Catalan; Philippine Nursing Students Association’s Grace Mae Ybanez, Rianno Emmanuel Domingo of United Methodist Young Adult Fellowship in the Philippines; Dean Tony La Viña; Sr. Mary John Mananzan OSB, Movement Against Tyranny; Joel Lamangan; Mae Paner (Juana Change); Inday Espina Varona; Women Writers in Media Now’s Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, Sol Juvida, and Paulynn Sicam; former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila president Noel Leyco; UP NCPAG Dean Emeritus Maria Fe Villamejor-Mendoza; All UP Workers Union-Manila president Karen Mae Faurillo; and Bayan chair former Rep. Teddy Casiño; Leni Nolasco, Filipino Nurses United; Voltaire Fernandez Domingo, SENADO Union; Malou Turalde, Babae Para sa Inang Bayan; Prof. Sally Quilicol, Social Workers Against Corruption; Sr. Ailyn Binco, Religious of the Good Shepherd; Sr. Maureen Catabian RGS, WJPIC; Sr. Ma. Liza H. Ruedas DC, Daughters of Charity JP; Sr. Evangeline Anastacio, SPC, St. Paul University Manila; and Heidy Elizan, Rotary Club of Manila Bay.
This list is by no means complete. More signatures are expected from a lot of Gen Z’s who this week are mounting walkouts and various protest actions, as well as a wide array of sectors, from working class to professionals, from content creators to artists, from retirees to overseas Filipino workers.
I have added my name to the list of signatories, for myself and for my nephews, nieces and grandkids. See you on Sept. 21 at the Luneta.
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