Anti-corruption groups declared 2026 as a year of ongoing fight against corruption and in continuation of the huge anti-corruption rallies in Luneta, Edsa, and many other locations in the past months.
Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (KBKK), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and other groups held a press conference in Quezon City last Monday announcing the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power uprising on February 25 as the next big rally against corruption.
“The people’s broad movement against corruption remains vigorous in demanding accountability for the trillion-peso flood control corruption scandal and other corruption cases that point to a systemic plunder of public funds under the current Marcos administration and previous ones too,” KBKK said.
The group pointed out that despite massive public outrage and sustained protest actions, not a single “big fish” has been held to account and only some contractors and low-level officials have been charged.
It added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. failed in his promise to put “big fishes” behind bars before last Christmas while many masterminds of the flood control scam remain untouched.
‘This failure on the part of the Marcos administration to prosecute those truly responsible is unacceptable and deepens public distrust,” KBKK said.
It also cited swift passage of the 2026 National Budget by Congress that essentially retains billions in presidential and congressional pork and other discretionary insertions.
“[It] is proof that the mechanisms for corruption are intact and that the basis for broader anti-corruption rallies this year remains valid,” the coalition said.
BAYAN for its part said recalled that another anti-corruption uprising resulted in ending the Joseph Estrada government in 2001, adding the fates of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and Estrada should serve as reminders to corrupt administrations.
“The massive turnout in Edsa in Metro Manila and other urban centers in January 2001 was preceded by several months of protests against the large-scale corruption and jueteng controversy involving no less than…Estrada,” BAYAN said.
The Alliance added that the corruption scandals in the past 25 years reflected the dominance of political dynasties and the machineries of oppression that support their unjust rule.
“The raging flood control scams, pork barrel insertions, and budget-related anomalies are a stark reminder that despite the two People Power movements, the bankrupt political system is still entrenched up to this day,” it said.
BAYAN said the Filipino people rejects the corrupt budget process and the rotten political system that enable pork barrel and flood control scandals.
“The most meaningful way to celebrate Edsa Dos and the spirit of People Power is to continue the fight against the corrupt social order.
Both KBKK and BAYAN demanded the dropping of “false charges” against BAYAN president
Renato Reyes, Kalayaan Kontra Korapsyon leader Aldrin Kitsune of the De La Salle College of St. Benilde, Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ The Catalyst associate editor Jacob Baluyot and others facing charges for their participation in anti-corruption rallies.
“No to repression of anti-corruption activists! The state should instead use its power and resources to widen and deepen corruption investigations,” the groups said.
KBKK and BAYAN were joined in the press briefing by student, church and other groups. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
