Metro Manila, Philippines – The second “Trillion Peso March” will raise the stakes against corruption and political dynasties, but not seek the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, organizers said.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, a co-organizer, said the Nov. 30 protest at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City will not seek to overthrow the government as it adheres to democratic processes.
Organizers said the rally will call for transparency, the return of ill-gotten wealth, and put behind bars those liable in the flood control corruption scandal.
“We are not calling for the resignations ng ating mga pinuno ng ating bansa [of our country’s leaders],” Bagaforo said in a news conference on Monday, Nov. 24.
“Hindi tayo sumusuporta sa pwersa na magtatag ng military junta or revolutionary government or ano pa man na papalitan ang government ngayon,” he said.
[Translation: We do not support any force that will establish a military junta, revolutionary government, or anything to change the government now.]
Rafaela David, a co-organizer and Akbayan party-list president, said the organizers respect other groups that will mount their own protests on Sunday.
“Maganda nga may options ‘yong mga mamamayan para makapag-discern din sila ano ba ‘yong magandang pamamaraan para talagang matuldukan ang korapsyon,” David said.
[Translation: It’s better for the citizens to have options so that they can discern what ways they will support to end corruption.]
On Nov. 16 to 17, the religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo held its “rally for transparency and a better democracy” at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
Group: Calls for resignation, transition not destabilization
Aside from the Trillion Peso March, Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot will also conduct another rally to call for accountability in the flood control corruption scandal on Nov. 30 at the Luneta Park in Manila.
Progressive coalition Bagong Alyansa Makabayan (Bayan), one of the organizers of the “Baha sa Luneta,” disagreed that calls for the resignation of Marcos and Duterte are unconstitutional, and instead pointed out that these are “legal, legitimate, and necessary.”
“Calls for resignation and transition are not destabilization. They are the people’s safeguard against entrenched corruption, dynastic rule and systemic decay,” Bayan said in a statement.
The Constitution provides that if both the president and vice president resign, the next in line is the Senate president, who will act as president until a new president or vice president is elected.
Bayan and its allied groups have sought a “national transition council,” which, it said, is not a junta. They said it will be a “broad-based, civilian-led” council that will ensure real accountability, implement structural reforms, and prepare for democratic elections.
Trillion Peso March Movement organizers said they expect the constitutional line of succession will be followed.
Trillion Peso March 2.0
Kiko Aquino Dee, a Trillion Peso March Movement co-organizer, said they expect 120,000 people to join their protest on Nov. 30.
He said they plan to set up the stage beside the iconic EDSA People Power Monument. If not approved by the Quezon City government, more LED walls and speakers along White Plains Avenue and EDSA will be put up.
Dee said labor groups will begin their march to EDSA Shrine at 6 a.m. to mark Bonifacio Day.
By 8 a.m., the labor groups will merge with the Trillion Peso March Movement, schools and institutions, and church groups in marching from the EDSA Shrine to the EDSA People Power Monument.
A mass will be celebrated by 10 a.m. before the main protest against flood control anomalies until 6 p.m.
Organizers encouraged participants to wear white, bring food and drinks, and join the event as a group.
“Kung meron sumingit diyan na kakaiba ang sinasabi may pumapaikot naman na marshals na pwedeng i-contact,” Dee said.
[Translation: If someone comes in and says something strange, there will be marshals around who can be contacted.]
