ASEANEWS-HEADLINE | CORRUPTION | MANILA: ‘Black Friday’ protests: We cannot stay neutral
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Groups hold protest against corruption at EDSA shrine | ANC
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MANILA, Philippines — Protests erupted across Metro Manila yesterday as students and activists mounted an outcry against large-scale corruption in government flood control projects.
Clad in black, students walked out of their classes at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and in Manila.
At UP Manila, the “Black Friday” protest took place outside Rizal Hall, where a renovation project has been stalled since 2019 under the Discaya family’s St. Timothy Construction Corp.
Student leaders and faculty denounced the shortage of classrooms and faculty spaces, saying it has led to overcrowded rooms and poor learning conditions, and blaming the problems on the unfinished projects and alleged budget mismanagement under the Marcos administration.
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The protests also called attention to issues such as low wages, poor health services and insufficient access to education and other social services.
UP president Angelo Jimenez said the university supports the students’ crusade for transparency and accountability amid the corruption allegations.
“The university views with the gravest concern the revelation of deep-seated and massive corruption plaguing the flood control projects in our country. We cannot stay neutral,” Jimenez said.
He encouraged citizens to express their outrage through constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
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“Beyond raging against corruption, we must also harness our education and training to provide solutions to the real problems of our people. As the University of the People, it is our overarching moral responsibility,” he said.
In UP Diliman, a campus-wide demonstration was staged after Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II endorsed the “Black Friday” protest action.
Progressive women’s group Gabriela, meanwhile, staged a noise barrage along Carriedo Street in Quiapo despite heavy rains to call out corruption in government and demand increased public services.
In Mendiola, Power for People Coalition staged its own protest in front of the barricaded Mendiola Bridge, voicing their “birthday wish” for Marcos: an end to corruption and alleged collusion between government and power companies that they say drives up electricity rates.
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National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo reported that monitored rallies in Manila, Pasay, Quezon City and UP Diliman yesterday concluded peacefully by 3 p.m.
Church joins call
Church leaders have also thrown their support behind the growing anti-corruption movement, urging Filipinos to join the Sept. 21 “Trillion Peso March” at the EDSA People Power Monument, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of martial law.
“This is not just a financial scandal. It is a betrayal of dignity and life itself. Every peso stolen is a life put at risk. Every corrupt deal is a flood that submerges our nation’s future,” said Bishop Robie Gaa of Novaliches.
“The poor are the first to drown in corruption. To steal what belongs to the poor is not only a crime against the nation, but a grave sin against God,” Bishop Colin Bagaforo of Caritas Philippines added.
Bishop Efraim Tendero of the Evangelical Churches of the Philippines, meanwhile, called for unity: “We call on every Filipino, regardless of faith, political color or social standing, to set aside differences and unite in the spirit of EDSA. This is not just about one scandal. It is about reclaiming our future from the grip of corruption and impunity.”
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The Cagayan de Oro Evangelical Council (CEC) likewise condemned the flood-control scandal as a “moral and spiritual crisis.”
“What was meant to protect the lives and homes of our people has instead become a breeding ground for injustice, waste and betrayal. This is not only a failure of governance; it is a moral and spiritual crisis,” the group said.
“We urge our churches, pastors and members to be salt and light – exposing darkness and standing firm for truth and justice… Let us not allow corruption to drown our people more deeply than any flood,” it added.
Participants of the non-partisan “Trillion Peso March” are encouraged to wear white shirts as a symbol of unity. The mobilization begins at 2 p.m. next Sunday.
Police on full alert
Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, NCRPO director, said all five police districts in Metro Manila have been placed on full alert, with officers on standby for deployment through Sunday.
“We have set security measures to prevent untoward incidents such as clashes, vandalism and traffic disruptions while ensuring that the rights of all are safeguarded,” Aberin said.
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Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Philippine National Police (PNP) public information officer, added that they have a 2,500-strong security contingent, 95 of whom were deployed yesterday for peace and order duties while the rest remain on standby.
He stressed that maximum tolerance is strictly enforced and that officers deployed to rallies are not armed with truncheons or batons in line with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s directive.
“For as long as protesters will not resort to violence, there is no reason for police officers to interfere with their activities,” Tuaño said, adding that the PNP supports rallies with permits, At least five more demonstrations are expected today at the EDSA Shrine, North EDSA, Pasig City and Liwasang Bonifacio. — Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso, Gerry Gorit, Mark Ernest Villeza
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