2,000 protest in Angeles City

ANGELES CITY — About 2,000 people joined an anti-corruption protest on Sunday in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The crowd gathered at the Nepo Complex and marched to Henson corner Valdez streets, where they held a short program led by the Kilusan Kontra Kurakot (KKK) Pampanga, a coalition of youth groups, workers, civic organizations, and business sector representatives.

KKK convenor Liza Ocampo-Pulido urged authorities to investigate the alleged infrastructure scandal and other spending issues. “We want a fair and complete investigation and the punishment of all those responsible, no matter who they are,” she said.

Ms. Pulido added that corruption harms the poor the most because it takes resources away from basic services.

Other speakers included student leaders Sophia Manuel and Marga Gomentong, church leader Rev. Jerome Salen, businessman Dr. Gerry Lugtu, LGBTQA advocate Hannah Pineda, and representatives of fraternities and sororities. They all called for honesty in government and stronger efforts to stop corruption.

Similar protests were held in Baguio City, where around 1,500 students, workers, and church group members marched along Session Road before holding a program at Malcolm Square.

Speakers also expressed anger over what they called long-standing corruption and lack of accountability.

In Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, about 800 residents and youth groups gathered to protest the lack of oversight of public funds. They urged clearer safeguards to prevent misuse of government budgets. — Artemio A. Dumlao