Poverty, corruption, and accountability
Yesterday, the protest rally that began at 1 p.m. in Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila was billed as“Kilos Bayan Laban sa Kahirapan, Korapsyon at Kawalang Pananagutan (People’s Action against Poverty, Corruption and Lack of Accountability). It was led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and allied organizations.
Two other protest actions on the same issues were held (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon) by two different groups before the People Power Monument on EDSA.
All three activities sharply criticized the public misconduct of Vice President Sara Duterte in the performance of her office and demanded her ouster through impeachment, mainly on the grounds of violations of the people’s trust, corruption and non-accountability to the people.
Months ago, it came to light in December 2020, she spent nearly P200 million in just 11 days and produced dubious receipts to justify the disbursements, using fictitious names as signatories of the alleged recipients.
Government corruption has again become a hot-button issue today, a problem that everyone decries but nothing has been done to really tackle it. Even in the past, we have had leaders who could not be said to be personally corrupt, but they only tolerated, maybe even ignored, the worsening situation.
Yesterday, one of the protests at the People Power Monument was called by the Clergy and Citizens for Good Government (CCGG). Speaking for the group, former Finance undersecretrary Cielo Magno, who recently resigned after questioning the 2025 national budget approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., strongly condemned corruption in the government.
More tellingly, Magno called for accountability from the President, Vice President Duterte and the members of Congress.
Through her Facebook account, Magno posted a CCGG statement alleging that the 2025 national budget prioritizes the personal interests of corrupt politicians, notably by removing fundings from essential services like PhilHealth. This move forces citizens to continue the old practice of begging politicians to “help” them get assistance for their medical and health needs. This then results in families incurring so-called debts of gratitude,