Anti-corruption actions in the country continue to surge. Workers, farmers, youth, church people, and others have committed to holding sustained protests until those guilty of corruption are held accountable for their crimes against the people.
In Baguio City, the “Diocesan Prayer March and Holy Mass Against Corruption” on October 7 gathered around 17,000 participants from Don Bosco School of Ministry, San Jose School of La Triniada, Inc.-Elementary Department, Saint Martin School, Saint Louis High School Antamok, Saint Louis University-School of Medicine, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines-CAR, Vicariate of San Isidro Labrador, Vicariate of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sto. Niño Parish, Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines-Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission, Immaculate Conception Parish, Vicariate of Our Lady of Atonement, and the Diocese of Baguio and Benguet. The march began at the Baguio Convention Center and ended at the Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral, where a mass was held.
On October 10, various groups across the country held Black Friday protests and other related activities.
The Trillion Peso March Movement led a candle-lighting and noise barrage at the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City. The Church Leaders Council for National Transformation, composed of 80 organizations, heads the movement. They stated that this protest is the first in a series of Friday actions that will continue until November 30.
In Caloocan, the United People’s Against Corruption-Caloocan and various organizations held a Black Friday protest at the Camarin Kiko Market in Barangay 178, North Caloocan. The group demanded an investigation and accountability for all those involved in corruption, including Caloocan second district former representative Mitchell “Mitch” Cajayon-Uy, and Caloocan current third district representative Dean Asistio, who were named in the Senate as being involved in systematic corruption.
At the National Housing Authority in Quezon City, Hiphop United Against Corruption and Concerned Artists of the Philippines staged performances and protests as part of the #Koraptober Black Friday protest. The program featured several hip-hop artists.
More than 3,000 people attended the “Grand Holy Rosary Rally Against Corruption” on October 11 in Bacolod City, which was led by the Diocese of Bacolod.
On the same day, thousands of students, church people, and faithful joined the “Walk for Justice Against Corruption.” Participants marched from Mendiola to the National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Loreto in Sampaloc, Manila, where they concluded the event with a mass.
In the province of Albay, a protest titled “Peace Ride and Rally for Change” carried the theme “Journey Together to Help the Community, Care for the Environment, and Fight Corruption.” The event was led by the Diocese of Legazpi, the Diocesan Commission on Social Concerns, and the Social Action Center-Legazpi as part of the Trillion Peso March Movement. Hundreds joined the event, including the Albay Movement Against Corruption, NNARA Youth-Bicol, the Organization of Farmers in Albay (OMA), BAYAN-Bikol, and the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol. The participants held a caravan from Our Lady of the Gate Parish in Daraga, Albay, traversed Tabaco City and Ligao City, and ended at St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Parish in Legazpi City, Albay, where Bishop Joel Baylon led a program and mass.
On October 12, the Dariuk Running Club organized a “Walk Against Corruption” in Santiago City, Isabela. More than 500 people from the business, health, religious, and youth sectors participated, including the Kabataan Partylist.
On the same day, Tindig Meycauayan led an indignation rally against corruption in Meycauayan, Bulacan, attended by hundreds of residents. The participants marched from St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church to the Meycauayan Sports Complex, where a program was held.
