End political dynasties, say protesters at second Trillion Peso March

MANILA, Philippines – The Trillion Peso March Movement gathered for the second time at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Sunday, November 30, with a call to end political dynasties.

Several groups marched from the EDSA Shrine to the People Power Monument to stage the protest, which coincided with the 162nd birth anniversary of Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio.

Protesters reiterated their appeal to hold accountable the government officials involved in anomalous flood control projects and further demanded to stop political dynasties.

“Sa lalong madaling panahon, inaasahan natin na dapat panindigan din ng gobyerno na kanilang i-certify as urgent ang ating anti-political dynasty bill. Alam naman nating itong korapsyon, mahigpit ang pagkatali sa usapin ng mga dynasty sa Pilipinas,” Akbayan Representative Perci Cendana said.

(We expect that the government will certify the anti-political dynasty bill as urgent as soon as possible. We know that corruption is tightly tied to the issue of dynasties in the Philippines.)

“Pinakamalaki sigurong utang nito (government), ‘yung utang nila sa anti-political dynasty bill. Papayag ba tayo na hindi maisasabatas ‘yan? Sisingilin at sisingilin natin ang mga ‘yan hanggang bayaran nila ang utang nila sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno said.

(The government’s largest debt is the anti-political dynasty bill. Will we allow that it would not be passed into a law? We will not stop charging them until they pay their debts to the Filipino people.)

Catholic priest Fr. Flavie Villanueva, who also shared the same appeal, said their call grew louder as almost all dioceses in the country were with him.

“Panawagan natin: Patuloy paigtingin ang paghahanap ng katotohanan; ikulong ang lahat ng korap; ibalik ang salapi; patuloy ipasa at ipatupad ang anti-dynasty law; at pinakamahalaga para sa’kin, ibalik natin ‘yung dangal bilang Pilipino,” Villanueva said.

(Our appeal: Continue strengthening the search for truth; jail the corrupt; pass and implement the anti-dynasty bill; and the most important for me, restore our dignity as a Filipino.)

Aside from calling for an end to political dynasties, the groups also wants the government to strengthen the powers of the independent commission investigating flood control and infrastructure projects.

A bill on the creation of an Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC) has been filed at the House of Representatives as the authors noted the lack of power in the executive-formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

“Itutulad n’yo ba ‘yan (ICAIC bill) sa anti-dynasty na inabot ng ilang dekada? Walang dahilan para patagalin pa ang mga batas na ‘yan pwera na lang kung kayo mismo ang may ayaw at natatakot na maisabatas ang mga ‘yan. Hindi lalabas ang katotohanan kung patago ang mga galawan, kung patingi-tingi ang diskarte,” Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima, one of the ICAIC bill authors, said.

(Are you putting the ICAIC bill in the same fate as that of the anti-dynasty bill which reached decades? There is no reason to prolong the enactment into law of those bills, except if you do not like or are scared of those. The truth will not come out if the actions are hidden, if the strategy is slow.)

“The current ICI can continue doing its work but it’s important the mandate no longer comes from the president but from Congress, so it can act independently,” said Kiko Dee, political scientist and co-organizer of the Trillion Peso March.

While the public see “positive steps” against alleged corrupt officials, Dee said they will continue mounting protests until Filipinos achieve justice.

The first Trillion Peso March was held on September 21, the anniversary of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s declaration of martial law. – Rappler.com