Several lawmakers have joined a gathering of various groups along the EDSA People Power Monument who are crying out against widespread corruption on government flood control projects.
Akbayan Partylist Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismulah, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao - collectively known as the “Akbayan Reform Bloc” in Congress - joined the protest.
They marched alongside thousands of Filipinos in a demonstration organized by the Simbahan at Komunidad laban sa Katiwalian (SIKLAB), Akbayan Party, Tindig Pilipinas, ML Partylist, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, Kalipunan, and Youth Against Kurakot (YAK).
In his speech, Diokno warned that a trillion pesos have been spent on flood control and other infra projects. “Tama si Sarah, uy hindi si Sara D kundi si Sarah G. Pinaiikot-ikot lang tayo. Papayag ba tayo diyan,” he asked the crowd.
Cendaña, meanwhile, warned that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not exempt and may see the people’s anger directed towards him if he fails to hold accountable all those involved in the flood control scandal, including his closest allies.
“Wag mong isipin na safe ka. Hindi ka safe dahil nagbabantay ang taong-bayan kapag ang mga pangako mo ay hindi natupad. Kapag walang nakulong at napanagot, ang galit na ito kayo naman itatapat,” Cendaña said in his speech.
He also warned members of the Duterte family that the people’s anger is nearing boiling point.
“This is a warning and a promise to the Dutertes, especially impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, that their legacy of corruption, on top of their legacy of killings, will face its day of reckoning. Nakakulong na si Digong. Susunod na sila,” he said.
He also rejected efforts to misdirect and even hijack the demonstrations into a ‘Marcos ouster’ protest, which he said is a ploy by the Duterte camp.
“Sino sila para diktahan ang takbo ng malawakang pagkilos ng mamamayan? Para ano, ibalik silang muli sa pinakamataas na antas ng kapangyarihan? Ano sila, hilo?” Cendaña said.
Ismulah also called for the investigation of all anomalous projects, particularly in Mindanao.