Progressive groups under the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (KBKK) launched a series of activities for the final Black Friday Protest on November 28 prior to the people’s protest against corruption on November 30. Groups held protests in Metro Manila, Baguio City, Tarlac City, Antipolo in Rizal, Los Baños and San Pablo City in Laguna, Cebu City, and Iloilo.

As in previous weeks, the protest called for accountability for all involved in the Marcos regime’s rampant corruption, particularly in flood control projects. In several protests, groups belonging to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) demanded for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte for being the king and queen of corruption.

The day of action highlighted the national sit-down strike and protest led by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-Philippines. According to the group, teachers from more than 400 public schools in 14 regions across the country joined the activity.

In the sit-down strike, teachers discussed corruption in government and national issues with students instead of teaching regular subjects. They thwarted attempts by Department of Education officials and divisions to silence, monitor, and intimidate participating teachers.

In Manila, progressive groups protested along Kalaw Avenue and in Quiapo. In Quezon City, various sectors held protests at Philcoa on Commonwealth Avenue; health workers picketed in front of the Philippine Orthopedic Center; urban poor residents protested in Tatalon; and farmers staged a noise barrage at the office of the Department of Agriculture.

In Pasig City, a group of consumers, along with others, protested in front of the headquarters of Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Corporation. They denounced government corruption, privatization of public services, and the collusion between Marcos and Ang in environmental destruction and worsening people’s suffering.

Similar protests were held outside Metro Manila. In Baguio City, ACT-Cordillera led a protest and program at Malcolm Square. In Tarlac City, groups under Bayan-Gitnang Luzon marched from F. Tañedo Street to Plazuela.

In Rizal, dozens of youth joined the protest in Antipolo City led by the Walang KuKorap Network and Youth Rage Against Corruption-Rizal. The protest ended at the provincial capitol, where Bayan’ Teddy Casiño, Kabataan Partylist’s Atty. Renee Co, and Gabriela Women’s Party’s Sarah Elago delivered speeches.

In Laguna, University of the Philippines-Los Baños students held a campus protest. In San Pablo City, the group San Pablo Ayaw sa Korapsyon organized an evening of music and art against corruption.

In Cebu City, progressive groups lit candles at Carbon Freedom Park. They called for justice for those who died as a result of corruption and the massive flooding in recent weeks, and for the killing of human rights defenders.

In Iloilo, youth groups protested at UP Visayas and Western Visayas State University. They condemned infrastructure projects in Iloilo City tainted by corruption, which they said inflicted suffering to the Ilonggo people.

The groups will join the KBKK-led people’s protest on November 30. The main demonstration will be launched at Luneta Park in Manila, with parallel protests nationwide. The group primarily calls to : “Hold everyone involved accountable!”

“From the simple ‘make the corrupt accountable’ to deeper calls for Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte to resign and to change the rotten system of governance, every legitimate clamor of the people has space and must be heard,” KBKK declared for the protest.