Despite rains, protests over flood funds mess held in provinces

The rains did not stop protesters in different parts of the country from holding mass actions against the corruption of funds for flood control projects, according to reports on "24 Oras."

Rallyists under the group Baguio at Benguet Laban sa Korapsyon marched in Baguio City and demanded that officials and people responsible for the ghost flood projects be brought to jail.

“Gusto natin managot lahat ng sangkot, dapat ibalik lahat ng ninakaw, mapatupad ang pro-people projects,” said Gabriel Siscar, the group’s convenor.

In Jaro, Iloilo City, protesters marched to the provincial capitol while praying the rosary.

Rallyists went around the public plaza in Bacolod to express their fury over the ghost and substandard flood control projects.

In Aklan, the people held a prayer rally carrying umbrellas.

In Cagayan de Oro, protesters held a motorcade and some marched at Plaza Divisoria.

Members of a youth group led protesters in Daet, Camarines Norte, who gathered at the First Rizal Monument. The rally was peaceful.

September 21 protest rally in Daet, Camarines Norte. (Photo by JP De Leon)

In Metro Manila, a group gathered in Luneta and another at the EDSA Shrine and marched to the People Power Monument.  The two mobilizations gathered over a hundred thousand people, drawing ordinary folk and personalities together for a common call against corruption.

In Olongapo City, residents, including Aetas, youth and civic groups under the new anti-corruption coalition People Against Corruption-Olongapo (PACO), held a morning rally at the Rizal Triangle Park to condemn corruption.

Members of the People Against Corruption-Olongapo during the Sept. 21 protest. (Photo by Dolly Mose)

PACO speakers presented a nine-point demand including transparency of records and contracts, prohibition of nepotism and favoritism, abolition of confidential funds and strengthened disclosure.

They also called for the disqualification of corrupt contractors, imprisonment of those guilty of plunder and recovery of all stolen assets.

An Aeta leader from IRAM Aeta community condemned projects damaging their ancestral domain such as solar farms, logging, mining and dam building. —With JP De Leon/Dolly Mose/LDF, GMA Integrated News