ASEANEWS HEADLINE-COURTS & CRIME | MANILA, Philippines: ‘No resignation calls at Trillion Peso March’
MANILA, Philippines — Today’s Trillion Peso March will not dwell on the country’s political divides and instead will focus on its main goal – standing up against systemic corruption in government.
That means organizers will not demand the resignation of President Marcos, who has been threatened with a coup allegedly plotted by retired military personnel, or of Vice President Sara Duterte who, in recent days, has expressed readiness to lead the country in case the Chief Executive is toppled.
“We’re not pro-anyone and we’re kind of anti-everyone,” Kiko Aquino Dee, one of the organizers told “Morning Matters” on One News on Friday.
“The common call of the rally is transparency, return the money, respect the 1987 Constitution and prevail over dynasties,” Dee, the grandson of democracy stalwarts Cory and Ninoy Aquino, said.
Dee noted that only contractors and former Department of Public Works and Highways engineers have so far been arrested and jailed.
“Definitely we want to see the arrest of high ranking officials involved in the corruption to prove to the people that there are no sacred cows in the investigation,” he said.
Dee clarified that people who will raise a placard today demanding Marcos’ resignation will be left alone if they do not cause any disturbance.
However, it is a different story if they call for extra-constitutional activities.
a video link during his initial appearance hearing before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I. His family and lawyers have regularly visited him in the detention facility.
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“If they urge the Armed Forces to withdraw support, that’s definitely beyond the bounds. We have marshals, just like we did last Sept. 21, who will ask people to put such calls down,” Dee said.
“If it can’t be resolved at that level, we have close coordination with the Philippine National Police, who will be securing the perimeter, but are also on hand to assist if needed,” he added.
Dee asserted that their loyalty remains to the Constitution, and both top officials received a huge mandate from the electorate that could only be reversed through an election.
“As much as I don’t like Marcos and Duterte, they did receive the mandate of the people in 2022, and that’s something that, with humility, I have to recognize. It’s the constitutional order that they follow to occupy that position,” he said.
But Rafaela David, the president of Akbayan, has been explicit in her support for Duterte’s resignation, as the party-list is among those that filed an impeachment complaint against the Vice President, which the Supreme Court eventually tossed out.
a video link during his initial appearance hearing before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I. His family and lawyers have regularly visited him in the detention facility.
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“She has been impeached and the trial should have pushed through,” David told True FM on Friday.
Akbayan is part of the Trillion Peso March Movement.
David said they will not hesitate to “push the envelope” and call for Marcos’ ouster if strong evidence links him to the flood control mess.
The Trillion Peso March will begin at 8:45 a.m. today, with the labor sector commemorating Bonifacio Day, followed by an interfaith program at 9:40 a.m.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., civil society groups and religious organizations will make calls to end corruption in government.
From afternoon until evening, several celebrities will stand in solidarity with the protesters, including the OPM band Ben&Ben and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
There will also be simultaneous rallies in provinces like Cebu and Palawan.
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Church participation
At least 86 archdioceses and dioceses across the country will hold local prayer rallies in unison with today’s Trillion Peso March, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace said.
In Metro Manila, the Archdiocese of Manila and the dioceses of Cubao, Kalookan, Pasig, Novaliches and Parañaque will take part.
Luzon participation includes the archdioceses of Caceres, Lipa, Lingayen-Dagupan, San Fernando (Pampanga), Nueva Segovia and Tuguegarao; the dioceses of Libmanan, Daet, Malolos, Imus, San Pablo, Gumaca, Lucena, Iba, San Fernando (La Union), Antipolo, Virac, Balanga, Ilagan, Alaminos, Cabanatuan, Legazpi, Baguio, San Jose (Nueva Ecija) Laoag, Tarlac, Sorsogon, Bayombong, Boac, Urdaneta, Bangued and Masbate and the apostolic vicariates of Taytay, Puerto Princesa, Tabuk, Calapan and San Jose (Mindoro), as well as the prelatures of Infanta and Batanes.
In the Visayas, the archdioceses of Cebu, Palo, Jaro and Capiz will join, along with the dioceses of Bacolod, Naval, Calbayog, San Jose de Antique, San Carlos, Talibon, Dumaguete, Borongan, Maasin, Kabankalan, Kalibo, Tagbilaran, Romblon and Catarman.
Mindanao participants include the archdioceses of Cotabato, Davao, Ozamis, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro; the dioceses of Butuan, Tandag, Prosperidad, Marbel, Pagadian, Dipolog, Malaybalay, Mati, Digos, Tagum, Kidapawan, Surigao, Iligan and Ipil; the apostolic vicariate of Jolo and the prelatures of Marawi and Isabela de Basilan.
a video link during his initial appearance hearing before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I. His family and lawyers have regularly visited him in the detention facility.
@[email protected]
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Non-violence
Meanwhile, educators yesterday urged Filipinos to seek truth through peaceful, non-violent action ahead of today’s nationwide protests.
The Marist Education Council (MEC) said while it is pushing for accountability, it rejected unconstitutional moves such as coups or juntas, and reminded the public that true reform requires vigilance, integrity and personal conversion.
“We reaffirm that we are educators, not politicians. Our loyalty is grounded only on the gospel truth and the Catholic social teachings. Yet, we remain political in the noblest sense of the word, for we work consistently for the common good, for what is just and for the protection of human dignity. Yet, we refuse to be partisan in our ethos, because foremost in our educational mission is the formation of social conscience and not idolatry of any politician,” it said. — Bella Cariaso
