Groups under the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (Citizens’ Movement Against Corruption or KBKK) will lead large protest actions against corruption under the Marcos regime, on October 17 and 21. The same groups organized the rally of over 100,000 people at Luneta Park in Manila on September 21.

The major protest will follow a series of walkouts, pickets, and other forms of actions by youth and students, progressive groups, and church people in recent weeks. They aim to sustain the protests and public pressure to hold accountable those involved in corruption in flood control projects and others.

The protest dates were concurred during KBKK’s October 11 meeting, where more than 100 individuals representing 60 organizations nationwide participated.

Youth and student groups will lead the Pambansang Araw ng Pagkilos ng Kabataan kontra Korapsyon (National Day of Youth Action Against Corruption) on October 17. From universities and local gatherings, they will converge in Mendiola to hold accountable all those involved in corruption.

“The youth refuse to be silenced while billions in public funds are stolen. We will bring our voices to the gates of power,” the organizers said.

Anakbayan, Alliance of Youth Against Corruption, UP Act Against Corruption Network (UP Action), One Taft, student councils, and other groups and alliances will lead the youth action. “On the historic streets of Mendiola, we stand together to reject the rotten system that breeds endless corruption, kills the people, and steals the youth’s future,” Anakbayan said.

According to UP Action, time passes but no one has yet been held accountable since the people first acted against corruption. “People are dying and starving while politicians continue to enjoy their positions. The Marcos Jr regime and the Duterte faction remain blind to the people’s anger against corruption!” it said.

The group added that government officials are mistaken if they think the youth will remain quiet while billions of pesos are continually being stolen from the people. “It is time to remove Marcos, the king of corruption, the Dutertes who are also murderers and corrupt, and all those in the Senate and Congress who do nothing but prioritize their interests and those of their cronies,” Anakbayan declared.

Thousands of youth and students have already joined the walkout movement that erupted nationwide since the second week of September. Universities recorded historic actions—from over 16,000 participants across the UP System, 15,000 in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines System, tens of thousands in private universities, to the launch of the first walkouts in other schools.

Outside Metro Manila, student leaders from Central Luzon State University (CLSU) also announced a large protest and walkout on October 17. The Unity of Leaders and Students for the Advancement of Democratic Students’ Rights and Welfare (USAd-DSRW) will lead the action of councils, organizations, and students in the university. The alliance gained the support of the CLSU Office of the University President (OUP) for the walkout.

On October 21, groups led by peasant organizations will protest at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila,. The action will highlight the ordeal of farmers affected by flooding and defective, anomalous farm-to-market roads.

Multi-sectoral groups will march with the farmers to denounce the Marcos regime’s blatant cover-up of government corruption. Congress is now fully maneuvering, and Marcos created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to whitewash the reeking government corruption stench.

According to KBKK, groups’ protest actions and activities will continue in the coming weeks. The government should also expect even bigger demonstrations, such as those announced for November 30, being prepared as part of the ongoing campaign for accountability.

Organizers added that these mass actions are part of a growing people’s movement. “The people will not stop. This is not just one protest. This is a movement against corruption and impunity,” KBKK said.