“Anong petsa na?” This was the pointed question raised by youth and cause-oriented groups who staged a white ribbon protest and noise barrage at the corner of Kamias Road and EDSA in Quezon City on Friday, Oct. 17, demanding swift government action and accountability for corruption.
Nearly three months after President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address, protesters decried the lack of progress in prosecuting officials linked to anomalous flood control projects, asking: “Ilang baha pa ba ang hihintayin? Ilang bagyo pa ba ang papadaanin?”
Members of Akbayan Partylist, Tindig Pilipinas, and Youth Against Kurakot (YAK!) distributed white ribbons to commuters and pedestrians, symbolizing the public’s demand for truth, justice, and clean governance.
Youth Against Kurakot lead Convenor and Akbayan Youth Secretary General Khylla Meneses voiced frustration over the slow pace of investigations: “The Filipino people work hard, but the corrupt steal harder.”
She urged the government to intensify efforts to investigate, file charges, and jail those responsible.
Meneses also criticized the delay in releasing officials’ Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), saying promises of transparency and livestreamed proceedings were not enough.
“Kailangan ang direktang pagbabantay ng mamamayan,” she said, calling for the passage of the Open Bicam Bill, Open Infra Bill, and Freedom of Information Bill. “Malinaw ang pangarap ng taumbayan—isang gobyernong malinis at walang bahid ng kurapsyon,” Meneses added.
“Hanggat hindi ito natutupad ng gobyerno, babahain natin ng puting ribbon ang EDSA.”
Another Trillion Peso March is scheduled on November 30 — a nationwide campaign that seeks truth, accountability, and justice in the flood control scandal.
The groups vowed to sustain weekly protests and public actions leading up to the mass demonstration at the EDSA People Power Monument. (Allysa Nievera)
