Various mass organizations and citizen watchdogs, spearheaded by the Stand in Opposition to Plunder (STOP) Corruption Alliance, gathered on the streets in commemoration of the life of Gat Andres Bonifacio, extending his fight from oppressive colonizers to corrupt politicians and kleptocrats.
Kilusang Mayo Uno – Southern Mindanao Region (KMU – SMR) Spokesperson Jeffry Uypala celebrated the heroic feats of Bonifacio as an inspiration in the pursuit of accountability and justice amid countless corruption allegations in the government.
“Aron I-celebrate ang 162 years ni Gat Andres Bonifacio na kung diin ang bayani na adunay prinsipyo baruganan na nakig-bisog alang sa katawhan para sa tinood na hustisya ug karon ania ang mamumuo aron ipakita, aron maningil ang tanan nalambigit sa korapsyon,” he said.
Union of Peoples’ Lawyers of Mindanao Vice Chair Atty. Joel Mahinay reminded public officers of their failure to fulfill their constitutionally mandated responsibility to genuinely serve their constituents.
“Gina sulti diha sa atong batakang balaod o konstitusyon diha sa Article 11 dunay diha gina-ingon nga katundangan, sa tagalog pa pananagutan or accountability of public officers… busa public officers and public employees must serve the Filipino people with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.”
GABRIELA – Southern Mindanao Secretary-General Jeany Rose Hayahay called out the current administration for its false promises while the masses continue to suffer from starvation and poverty.
“[Ferdinand] Marcos Jr., Sarah Duterte mga kawatan! Kawatan sa kwarta sa masa. Wala pami kalimot sa 125 million na nagasto ni Sarah Duterte ug dili namo malimtan ang pangako na 20 pesos matag-kilo na bugas.”
STOP Corruption Alliance Convenor Leo Fuentes rebuked public officials involved in the systemic plunder and graft of government projects, supposedly intended to improve the lives of Filipinos.
“Imbis kita hatagan ug mga proyekto sa kalambuan ang nilambo lang kay ang mga bulsa sa mga kawatan dinhi sa goberno. Shame. Makauulaw ang gibuhat ka nato sa nilabay ug sa kasamtangan na administrasyon.”
After the Senate’s recent approval of the historic 1.044 trillion pesos for the Department of Education (DepEd) ‘s 2026 budget, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT-Teachers) – Davao Region President Elenito Reyes Escolante expressed distrust in the allocation and utilization of the budget, citing the bureaucratic-capitalistic tendencies of the government.
“Ilang gipakita ang historic budget daw sa Department of Education, dako nga figure pero apan himay-himayon… sama gihapon sa king-king ang kagamay tungod sa kadako sa burokrasya,” he claimed.
National Union of Students of the Philippines – Davao Regional Coordinator John Allen Bucol highlighted the susceptibility of the educational sector to mismanagement of funds despite its importance as the foundation for future generations.
“Ang edukasyon mao ang nag-pondar sa atong kaugmaon. Mao kini ang aspeto na dapat protektahan ug atong panalipdan sa tanan porma sa pag-abuso.”
Amid rising cases of gender-based violence in the country, GABRIELA Youth – Davao Chairperson Allyssa Ancheta chastised the Marcos Jr. administration for the lack of real government efforts in addressing the marginalization of women.
“Performative, hipokrito, ug mga aron-ingnon, kung tinood na ginahatag ug prioridad ang kahimtang sa mga kababaehang-kapos, ngano nagpabilin nagkadaghang kaso sa pang-pangabuso… mag tulo na ka-tuig sila naglingkod sa ilang posisyon, hapit na mahuman ang tuig wala gihapon kabagohan sa kahimtang ug sa kasamtangan sa mga kababaehang-kapos,” Ancheta exclaimed.
College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) – Davao Chairperson Catherine Discorson encouraged the youth to follow the steps of Bonifacio in championing the masses through civic participation and political involvement.
“At kagaya ni Bonifacio na lumaban na may dangal at tapang laban sa mga mananakop, tumitindig tayo ngayon upang pasiklabin muli ang diwa ng kabataan at ng masang-api laban sa naghaharing-uri sa ating lipunan,” she emphasized.
The People’s Protest against Corruption was held on November 30 at Freedom Park, Roxas Avenue.