No room for staying silent, say White Ribbon marchers against corruption

"Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot!"

(Everyone involved in corruption must be held accountable.)

This battle cry was heard once again on EDSA on Sunday, June 28 as progressive and religious groups marched to the People Power Monument to call once again for an end to corruption.

Kidapawan Bishop Jose Bagaforo said that there is no room for silence in the fight against corruption.

"Ninanakaw ang pondo para sa mahihirap. Hindi tayo maaring manahimik habang ang kaban ng bayan ay ginagawang personal na kayamanan ng iilan. Hindi tayo maaring manahimik habang ang korapsyon ay patuloy na sumisira sa kabukasan ng ating mga susunod na mga henerasyon, ang ating mga anak," he said in his opening speech of the White People march.

(They stole the funds that was meant for the poor. We cannot remain silent while the nation's coffers are turned into the personal funds of the few. We cannot remain silent while corruption continues to destroy the future of the next generation, the children.)

"Mga kapatid, malinaw ang ating paninindigan: Ang korapsyon ay kasalanan. Ang korapsyon ay pagnanakaw. Ang korapsyon ay pagtataksil sa taongbayan," he added.

(Brothers and sisters, our position is clear: corruption is sin. Corruption is theft. Corruption is the betrayal of the Filipino people.)

More than 3,000 individuals of all ages came together for the event at EDSA, many wearing white shirts. They held placards calling for actions on various issues: accountability on the flood control mess, the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, and the suspension of excise tax, among others.

But protest was not only done in placards and papers as some young rallyists sold shirts, caps, and stickers with their message: "Ikulong na 'yan, mga kurakot!" (Jail the corrupt!)

There were also cultural performances by independent artists during the nearly-five hour program at EDSA.

For his part, Bagaforo said that it's not enough to only seek a better government.

"Kailangan nating tumindig para sa pagbabago. Hindi sapat ang humiling ng mabuting pamahalaan, kailangan din nating igiit ang pananagutan. Kaya ngayong hapon, mga kapatid, sama-sama natin ipahayag: Tama na ang korapsyon," he added.

(We need to stand for change. It's not enough to ask for good governance; we must also demand accountability. So today, we say as one: Stop the corruption.)

Anti-political dynasty

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairman Teddy Casiño also called out the political dynasties ruling the government.

"Kahit mapanagot natin ang mga Duterte at Marcos, nandiyan pa ang mga political dynasty na papalit sa kanila, hindi ba? Kaakibat ng mga political dynasty, nandiyan yung mga kasabwat nilang nangaabuso at gumagamit din ng kapangyarihan laban sa atin. Kailangan rin nilang mapanagot, pero napapanagot ba sila?" he said.

(Even if the Dutertes and Marcoses are held accountable, there ares till the other political dynasties who will take their place, right? And with the political dynasties are their accomplices who also abuse and use power against the people. They must also be held accountable, but could it happen?)

The former lawmaker that the problem lies in the present system in the government.

"Ang problema natin ay hindi lang itong mga kriminal na nasa pwesto. Ang problema natin ay sistema ang kalaban natin. At kapag sistema ang kalaban ay mahirap na laban ito. Kung sino ba ang gumagawa ng tama, siya pa ang napapahamak. Kaya hindi sapat na simpleng panagutin lamang ang mga ito, kailangan baguhin ang sistema," Casiño said.

(Our problem is not just the criminals in power. Our problem is that the system is also our enemy. And when the system is the enemy the fight is difficult. And those who do the right thing end up getting hurt. So it's not enough to hold them accountable; we need to change the system.)

Likewise, Dapat Isa Lang Movement set up a tent for a signature campaign pushing for a genuine anti-dynasty law.

Lawyer Alex Lacson, one of the convenors of the movement, said that they started collecting signatures in March this year.

"Ang dami ng organizations and different religious groups na nago-offer na they can also call for signature collection in different areas," he told GMA News Online.

"We need the support of Filipinos everywhere, because we need at least 3% in every congressional districts nationwide," Lacson added.

The program ended at 5:55 p.m., with participants singing in unison "Bayan Ko."

Also gracing the event were labor rights activist Luke Espiritu, pro-farmers group leader Danilo Ramos, and former Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno.

Around 2,500 cops were deployed for the protest. The Quezon City Police District said said some 1,500 police personnel were deployed at EDSA People Power Monument where the event was staged.

But there are also police officers deployed at the Welcome Rotunda and near the House of Representatives. No protests were recorded in the aforementioned areas.

The QCPD said that there were no untoward incident. However, medical officers responded to some individuals for blood pressure monitoring and one police officer who suffered a wound on his hand. — BM, GMA News