Various sectors nationwide continue to hold weekly Black Friday Protest against corruption led by the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (KBKK, or People’s Movement Against Corruption). Among them are workers, farmers and fishers, youth and students, teachers, health workers, and government employees who held protests on November 21.
The groups’ united call demanded holding all involved accountable for the Marcos regime’s rampant corruption. They also called for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte for being the king and queen of corruption.
From workers’ ranks, three Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) unions rejoined the protests. On Friday, the Janitorial Association at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, the Atrium Workers Union, and the Italit Workers Union, all members of the National Federation of Labor Unions-KMU, participated in the actions.
Fisherfolk led by the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya, or National Power of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines) picketed in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Quezon City office to condemn corruption and the ongoing environmental plunder, especially marine resources.
The group demanded investigation not only of the national treasury’s blatant corruption. They also hold accountable government agencies such as the DENR for its unrestrained approval of projects that worsen natural disasters such as reclamation and dredging. The protest coincided with marking World Fisheries Day. The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines) joined Pamalakaya’s action.
Youth and student groups once again launched a nationally coordinated protest and walkout on that day. They marched to Mendiola in Manila and organized local programs in many cities in Metro Manila and eight other cities and provinces.
Youth Rage Against Corruption (YRAC) led a march of 1,500 youth in Mendiola. Outside Manila, YRAC’s allied groups launched protest actions in Pampanga, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Calamba and Los Baños in Laguna, Tacloban City, and Davao City.
Health workers also mobilized under the leadership of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) and Filipino Nurses United (FNU). In Manila, nurses, doctors, health professionals, and health students gathered in front of the Department of Health (DOH) for a protest.
In Quezon City, a human chain and noise barrage were held. Health worker unions at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and Bacolod Doctors’ Hospital in Bacolod City, and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Baguio City also joined the protest day.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-Philippines and its affiliated unions led the protest actions of teachers, mainly in Metro Manila. Teachers protested and lit candles at Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila. Teachers’ associations from other schools also joined the protests in preparation for ACT Philippines’ planned national sit-down strike.
Rise All Government Employees (RAGE) against Corruption led government employees for a picket in Quezon City. Members of government employee federation Courage and its affiliate unions attended the protest.
Meanwhile, various sectors under the leadership of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Southern Mindanao protested in Davao City.
Different sectors will join the November 30 people’s protest Baha sa Luneta 2.0 at Luneta Park in Manila, which will be led by the KBKK. Corresponding protest actions will also be held in Baguio City, Calamba City, Iloilo City, Roxas City in Capiz, Cebu City, Bacolod City, Tacloban City, Davao City, and other cities and towns.
“From the simple call for ‘punish the corrupt’ to the deeper demands for Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte to resign and for change in the rotten system of governance, every legitimate clamor of the people has a place and must be heard,” the KBKK stated for the protest.
