One month before the scheduled massive people’s protest against corruption on November 30 by the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (KBKK or People’s Movement Against Corruption), its allied organizations are launching protests and preparation activities. Pickets, Black Friday protests, marches, parties, gatherings, and other forms of creative protests launched on October 30 and 31 in Metro Manila and some provinces.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and its allied organizations marched toward Mendiola in Manila on October 31. The group creatively expressed opposition to the Marcos regime’s corruption using a “Halloween” theme and called for holding corrupt officials accountable.

According to the group, Malacañang is a “horror house” of “ghost projects” and other anomalies that continue to burden the people. Malacañang also currently controls the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI)’s slow and faltering “investigation”, which Bayan called a “cover-up.”

The program featured “ghostbusting” or listing government-funded projects that remain unfinished or fictitious. Some protesters dressed as “monsters” representing the Marcos regime.

On the same day, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines launched the #StopKorap Halloween Party with the theme “Ghost Projects: The Exorcism!” Bands, artists, and other groups attended the gathering in Quezon City to perform and express support in the Filipino people’s fight against corruption.

Local organizations also held Black Friday protests anew in Caloocan City and Pasay City. Progressive groups and residents staged similar protests in San Pablo City, Laguna.

In Cagayan de Oro City, the Promotion of Church People’s Response-Northern Mindanao led the Black Friday protest. Earlier, the Kabataan Party-list-Cagayan de Oro City launched a mobile photo booth on October 28-29 to encourage Xavier University students to take a stand against corruption.

On October 30, health workers from the Alliance of Health Workers staged a protest in Quezon City to condemn corruption and demand higher wages, benefits payment, and additional staff in government hospitals. According to AHW, these issues remain harsh realities that burden their sector.

In Eastern Visayas, University of the Philippines-Tacloban College students and progressive groups protested in front of the campus. The action was part of the Peasant Month commemoration and condemnation of the Marcos regime’s corruption. Before the protest, these groups launched the Rise Against Corruption Alliance.

In Catarman, Northern Samar, campus journalists, student leaders, and other groups lit candles and launched a program calling for justice and accountability for the Marcos regime’s widespread corruption. Their chant was: “Lock up those corrupt!”

KBKK consists of organizations that led the massive movement at Luneta Park on September 21 called Baha sa Luneta. Its members include Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA or People Against Thieves and Abusers), Panatang Luntian (Green Oath, Movement Against Tyranny, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Bunyog Pagkakaisa (Bunyog United), Greenpeace Philippines, Seniors Kontra Kurakot (Seniors Against Corruption), Social Workers Against Corruption, One Nation One Voice One Church, United People Against Corruption (UPAC), Working People Against Corruption, UP Diliman University Student Council, PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (PUP Student Council Center), Gabriela, Babae para sa Inang Bayan (Women for Mother Nation), San Pablo Ayaw sa Korapsyon (Sapak or San Pablo Against Corruption), Hiphop United, Health Alliance for Democracy, and Makabayan Coalition.