By Bayan Chairperson and former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
Today, thousands of our countrymen all over the country will be holding various forms of mass actions to express their vehement opposition to the worsening poverty, corruption and impunity happening under the Marcos administration.
Our people understand that poverty is caused to a great extent by government’s flawed policies which cater to the rich and powerful, including foreign interests, at the expense of the majority. Corruption plays a key role in this bureaucrat capitalist system, where public officials treat government like a profit-making enterprise. This makes the system of checks and balances ineffective. With transparency and accountability mechanisms greatly compromised, large scale corruption and human rights violations are committed with impunity by the highest officials of the land.
We say enough. Sobra na. Tama na. Baguhin na ang sistema!
The people demand an end to the flawed policies of trade liberalization, low wages, contractualization, and underspending for agriculture, health, education, housing and other social services. There should be a thoroughgoing crackdown on smuggling and trading cartels, as well as private monopolies in the oil, power and water utilities sector, including their protectors.
The people demand an end to the pork barrel system, especially in the way that infrasturcture projects and financial assistance programs (AKAP, AICS, TUPAD, medical assistance) are implemented. No to ghost projects, kickbacks and commissions! No to vote buying and ayuda politics! We also demand the abolition of the much abused intelligence and confidential funds.
The people demand that past and present government officials be held accountable for their crimes and wrongdoing. In particular, we demand the impeachment of VP Sara Duterte, the prosecution of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte both by the ICC and local courts. We likewise demand that all officials involved in acts of corruption and human rights violations be promptly investigated and prosecuted.
These demands are part of the people’s aspirations for national democracy, social justice and genuine peace.#
