In just eight days, more than 16,000 students, teachers, and staff of the University of the Philippines (UP) joined the university walkouts and protests as a condemnation of widespread corruption under the Marcos regime. Groups and sectors raised a collective call to hold accountable everyone involved in corruption, from Marcos down to the lowest ranks.

“More than 15,000 Iskolar ng Bayan from Cordillera to Mindanao already boycotted classes to demand accountability from the corrupt and those involved!” UP Student Regent Dexter Clemente said. He added that the corrupt politicians must now be trembling in fear at the massive strength displayed by UP youth-students.

The latest in the series of walkouts was held at UP Los Baños (UPL) in Laguna on September 19, when more than 7,000 individuals walked out of their classes. Student councils and organizations marched from various colleges before converging at the campus’ Oblation Park.

“Carrying the demand for increased budget allocation for education and social services, and for accountability of the corrupt and the US-Marcos regime, this shows the growing militant spirit of the UPLB and Los Baños communities,” the UPLB University Student Council (USC) said.

After the program, they formally launched UP Action Los Baños, an alliance of various campus groups opposing corruption and pushing for a higher budget for social services. “The Iskolar ng Bayan will not stop here, instead this is only a burning beginning toward bigger actions and struggles,” the council declared.

On the same day, around 600 individuals joined the walkout in UP Mindanao at Davao City. They marched inside the campus and held a program at the UP Mindanao Atrium, led by the UP Mindanao USC.

According to the council, students should not fear leaving their classes but should instead fear a system that continuously suppresses the truth, cuts the budget for the future, and squanders public resources. “Skipping classes is not a loss of learning, but part of our action to write history,” it stated.

On September 17, around 1,800 individuals joined the walkout and march in UP Baguio. More than 50 councils, organizations, and other groups signed a united manifesto condemning massive corruption between the government and private contractors.

On September 15, an estimated 1,000 students, teachers, and staff joined the walkout in UP Cebu. The alliance UP Cebu Kilos Na led the widespread protest. Students covered the Oblation with black cloth to symbolize their resistance and stand against corruption.

On September 12, more than 5,000 marched in UP Diliman. At noon, students wearing black surged toward Palma Hall from their respective colleges where local student councils, national-democratic groups, and other organizations held programs. Cries for accountability from the Iskolar ng Bayan resounded with loud drumbeats and progressive songs.

On the same day, more than 600 UP Manila students joined the walkout and march. At UP DEPPO in Clark, Pampanga, more than 200 students walked out of classes in solidarity with the protest day. At UP Tacloban, not fewer than 120 students protested despite the rain.

The efforts of student councils in different campuses gained the support of chancellors, deans, and college directors for the walkouts and demonstrations. The expression of support from some UP administrators delivered a strong message against corruption under the Marcos regime.

The actions in UP also served as part of the commemoration of the upcoming 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law and the 14-year dictatorship of Marcos Sr. The students said nothing has changed from the dictator father’s era up to the Marcos Jr regime’s continuing widespread corruption and fascism.

In this regard, the UP Office of the Student Regent, student councils, and other organizations of UP declared that they will join the widespread protest against corruption on September 21. “The UP System clamor: Enough, this is too much! Hold all plunderers accountable starting from the top, Bongbong!” Clemente said.