MANILA — In honor of International Human Rights Day, activist groups held a number of demonstrations in Manila on Wednesday, emphasizing demands for accountability in light of the government’s ongoing corruption scandals.
Following cultural performances and speeches at Liwasang Bonifacio, the protesters proceeded through the streets toward Mendiola, where they set fire to and destroyed effigies of Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
They sang the socially charged song “Upuan” by Gloc-9 and chanted, “Wasakin ang upuan ng mga pasistang kawatan.”
One of the program’s highlights was a drag performance that was held in spite of the intense heat.
Cristina Palabay, the secretary-general of Karapatan, called on the government to prosecute people suspected of being involved in corrupt flood-control infrastructure initiatives.
Palabay said ABS-CBN News, “Ang corruption ay isang human rights issue dahil precisely ‘yong karapatan ng mamamayan sa isang buhay na may dignidad ang nilalabag ng korapsyon — pinagkakaitan nito ng vital social services ‘yong mga tao.”
France Castro, a former lawmaker and co-chair of Makabayan, likewise advised people to be on the lookout for purported threats of budget insertions.
“Magkakaroon na naman ng Bicameral Conference Committee na kung saan nagaganap ang manipulasyon sa budget, mga insertions,” she stated.
Castro continued, “Ngayon, mukhang hindi nagkakasundo pa ang dalawang kapulungan ng Kongreso – in fact, ie-extend pa nga, baka hindi pa tapos ‘yong reconciliation ng mga items.” “Kaya magbabantay tayo.”
While police maintained increased security throughout the protests, the demonstrators in Mendiola peacefully dispersed.
The administration is still “committed to upholding human rights” and is working to strengthen governance and combat corruption, according to a brief statement from the Secretariat of the Presidential Human Rights Committee. Allegations made by protest organizations will be “addressed through proper legal channels,” it stressed.
Human rights advocates said they will continue to keep an eye out for alleged abuses and corruption throughout the year, despite the government’s assurances.
