A white ribbon protest and noise barrage were held by youth and cause-oriented groups at the corner of Kamias Road and EDSA in Quezon City on Friday, Oct. 17, to demand for retribution and swift action against corruption.

(Photo courtesy of Akbayan Partylist)

They said the white ribbons symbolize the people’s demand for truth, justice, and accountability — while urging the government to file charges and imprison the officials implicated in the anomalous flood control projects.

Youth Against Kurakot Lead Convenor and Akbayan Youth Secretary General Khylla Meneses expressed frustration over the slow government response.

“The Filipino people work hard, but the corrupt steal harder. Kaya ang panawagan natin ay sana naman sipagan pa ng gobyerno ang pagiimbestiga, pag-file ng kaso, at pagpapakulong sa lahat ng mga kurakot (The Filipino people work hard, but the corrupt steal harder. So our call is that the government should step up its efforts to investigate, file cases, and imprison all the corrupt),” she said. 

She also pointed out the delay in fulfilling promises of accountability. 

“Anong petsa na? Magta-tatlong buwan na ang lumipas pagkatapos ng SONA ni Marcos Jr. at ipinangako niya na papanagutin ang mga korap. Ilang baha pa ba ang hihintayin? Ilang bagyo pa ba ang papadaanin? Babad na babad na kami dito sa baha oh (What date is it? It's been three months since Marcos Jr.'s SONA and he promised to hold the corrupt accountable. How many more floods do we have to wait for? How many more typhoons do we have to go through? We're already soaked in flood),” Meneses said.

“Hindi sapat na mangangako sila na ilalabas ang SALN. Ilabas na ang SALN ngayon na! Hindi sapat na mangangako sila ng livestream. Kailangan ang direktang pagbabantay ng mamamayan! Lalong hindi pwede na ngayon lang ito gagawin—dapat ipasa ang Open Bicam Bill, Open Infra Bill, at Freedom of Information Bill (It is not enough for them to promise to release the SALN. Release the SALN now! It is not enough for them to promise a livestream. We need direct citizen oversight! It is even more unacceptable to do this now—the Open Bicam Bill, Open Infra Bill, and Freedom of Information Bill must be passed),” she added.

She said the white ribbons also represent the people’s hope for clean governance. 

“Malinaw ang pangarap ng taumbayan—isang gobyernong malinis at walang bahid ng kurapsyon. Hanggat hindi ito natutupad ng gobyerno, babahain natin ng puting ribbon ang EDSA (The people's dream is clear—a clean government free from corruption. Until the government fulfills this, we will flood EDSA with white ribbons),”she said. 

Another Trillion Peso March is scheduled on November 30 — a nationwide campaign that seeks truth, accountability, and justice in the flood control scandal. 

The groups vowed to sustain weekly protests and public actions leading up to the mass demonstration at the EDSA People Power Monument.