Citizens went out to the streets to let their voices be heard amid the ongoing corruption scandal that has gripped the country.
On Sunday, November 30, multiple demonstrations were held by various groups across the Philippines to call for the accountability of personalities involved in the flood control corruption case.
The most notable of which are the ones held in Luneta, Manila and the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
In a statement, the Malacañan Palace said that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. stands in solidarity with rallyists.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, “Even before sinabi naman ng Pangulo na ang freedom of expression ay iginagalang ng administrasyon na ito. At alam din naman natin kung anong panawagan ng mga kababayan natin, para panagutin ang mga sangkot at hindi naman para mag-destab(ilize),” Castro said in an interview.
“At ito naman ay sinasangayon din ng Pangulo, dahil lahat tayo ay may karapatan na magalit sa nangyayaring mga anomalya sa tungkol dito sa flood control project at mga ibang imprastraktura,” she added.
In line with these movements, the President, along with the entire government, monitored the developments from these rallies.
“Ito (protest actions) ay parte ng kanilang freedom of speech. So kami patuloy lang nagmo-monitor at sana manatiling mapayapa ‘yung mga rally at maging vigilant lang tayo na bantayan natin ‘yung ating mga hanay sa mga may masamang balak na manggulo,” said PCO chief Dave Gomez in a separate interview.
In another part of the conversation, he said, “Ramdam namin ‘yung galit ng mga tao. Ramdam rin namin ang kanilang pagkainip. Sa mga dumadalo sa rally at mga dadalo pa sa mga ibang pagtitipon, ito lang ang masasabi ko: We feel you, we hear you, and we will not disappoint you. Tandaan lang natin, kailangan natin obserbahan ng due process sa lahat ng ito.”
Meanwhile, he also emphasized that strong case building with strong evidence needs to be done in order for the personalities involved to be held accountable for the corruption.
This, as they do not want it to suffer the same fate as the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) cases, in which some individuals were eventually cleared.
“Ang importante lang talaga, mapatibay natin ‘yung ating mga ebidensya sa ating case build-up para this time around walang makakalusot sa mga nagnakaw sa bayan. Sisiguraduhin natin mananagot sila at mababawi natin yung kanilang mga ninakaw,” said Gomez.
Malacañang expressed satisfaction over the largely peaceful rallies across the country, underscoring the administration’s commitment to protecting citizens’ right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
As the day passed, Sec. Gomez said that the government is satisfied with how the rallies turned out.
“Well, so far natutuwa kami sa ating mga rallies. Nasabi na ng ibang tagapagsalita natin na ang administrasyon ay naniniwala sa freedom of expression at pinoprotektahan natin ‘yung right ng ating mga mamamayan to peaceably assemble,” said Gomez.
He continued, “At natutuwa nga kami na so far, peaceful ‘yung ating mga rallies na nakikita.”
Meanwhile, he also underscored security measures had to be beefed up, in light of the riots that occurred in Manila after the September 21 rally.
“Natuto na tayo noong September 21 rally na ‘yung Black Mask Movement, sila ‘yung nagpasimuno ng mga gulo. So, naninigurado lang tayo na hindi ma-infiltrate ‘yung ating mapayapang mga rally ng mga taong out to foment chaos and violence. At pagkatapos naman sila sitahin, interviewhin, pinapalaya din naman sila,” the PCO chief noted the measures.
Gomez furthered, “Naniniguro lang tayo. Alam mo naman ‘yung kasabihan na fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Para naman tayo hindi natuto noong September 21, ‘yan lang naman. Gusto lang natin pangalagaan ang peace and order.”