On the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, multisectoral groups and organizations took to the streets to compel the current administration to address issues of corruption, human rights violations, and national sovereignty.
Groups raised concerns over the continued violent repression and disregard for national rights and sovereignty from the current administration.
STOP Corruption Alliance convenor Elmer Jon Mupas called for accountability to extend towards President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in light of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case amid controversies surrounding the national budget.
“For us, Marcos is the chief architect of this system of corruption. He signs the national budget into law, including trillions in unprogrammed funds and hundreds of billions in what we consider pork.”
“Accountability cannot stop with his cousin, his allies, or other officials. It must reach the highest office,” Mupas said.
The ongoing series of arrests launched by the Marcos administration, most notably that of former speaker Martin Romualdez, further exposed the lack of accountability in the highest positions in government.
“Putting a few officials behind bars is not enough. Everyone involved—lawmakers, contractors, government officials, the Vice President, and the President himself—must be investigated and held accountable,” Mupas added.
Anakbayan – Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) Chairperson Fauzhea Guiani further argued that true freedom and accountability require ongoing collective action by the people, especially the youth and marginalized groups.
“Mao ang challenge para sa mga kabatan-onan: mubalhin sa nagkalapad nga han-ay sa mga Pilipino og kolektibong makigbisog og mubarog para sa nasudnong demokrasya og para sa tinuod nga kagawasan dini sa atong nasud.”
Former Bayan Muna Representative Atty. Carlos Zarate warned that the state is using modern anti-terror laws to recreate the oppression, impunity, and corruption of Martial Law, calling on the audience to resist this ongoing abuse of power.
“Sama kaniadtong panahon ug hangtod karon, ang balaod gigamit kini nga hinagiban sa estado aron sumpoon ang nagkakusog nga paglihok sa katawhan nga batokan ang korapsyon, ang kalisod, ang pagpanglupig.”
Reiterating key points from their press conference last Friday, League of the Filipino Students – Davao coordinator Heroine Marish Fernandez linked foreign control to agreements such as Pax Silica that destroy the environment and trample on the country’s sovereignty.
“Kining ika-54 nga tuig nga kabilin sa Martial Law ug ang mga modernong mga balaod karon usa ka tin-aw nga imperyalistang pagbudhi. Ang init nga atong gihambin karon dili lang init sa adlaw; kini ang init sa imperyalistang pagpahimulos nga nagaguba sa atong kalikopan ug nagatumpak sa atong soberanya.”
The protest commemorating the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law took place at Freedom Park on September 21.