Almost 3,000 students, teachers, and staff from the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio and UP Cebu joined the walkout launched this week against corruption and dishonesty under the Marcos regime. This followed the protests and marches at UP Diliman, UP Clark, UP Manila, and UP Tacloban where more than 5,000 participated last week.

At UP Baguio, around 1,800 individuals joined the walkout and campus march on September 17. More than 50 councils, organizations, and other groups signed a united manifesto denouncing widespread corruption between the government and private contractors.

According to the UP Baguio University Student Council (UPB USC), which led the demonstration, actions like these against corruption are timely, especially as the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law’s declaration is marked on September 21. “Our society has not changed from the time of Martial Law up to the present. The Filipino people continue to suffer, and the state’s trampling on citizens’ rights remains rampant,” the council stated.

The council added that while the Marcos regime and the Duterte camp fight over power, bureaucrat-capitalists continue to squander public funds. “The pockets of corrupt and plundering government officials, along with their accomplices, only grow fatter,” the UPB USC declared.

The strength of the voice and unity of students on campus compelled UP Baguio Chancellor Joel Addawe to declare support for the student action.

Kabataan Partylist Cordillera spokesperson Gab Siscar praised the successful action at UP Baguio. “Let’s keep this atmosphere of protest and gather on Sept 21 together with other sectors of Baguio and Benguet! Let the corrupt fear the rage of the youth!” he said.

At UP Cebu, around 1,000 students, teachers, and staff joined the walkout on September 15. The alliance UP Cebu Kilos Na led the broad protest and was supported by campus administrators.

Students covered the Oblation statue with black cloth to symbolize their resistance and defiance against corruption. UP Cebu USC chairperson Jorosh Diamola’s speech underscored the ongoing crisis in education in the country amid the Marcos regime’s budget cuts and repression.

“The Marcos family has long been known for theft and abuses, and they continue to do so in Malacañang together with Sara Duterte, who squandered billions in confidential and intelligence funds,” Diamola said. He emphasized that this thievery was a double slap in the face of Filipino youth amid the lack of funds for education and basic social services.

According to UP Cebu Kilos Na, the truth is clear that bureaucrat-capitalism squeezes the people and heavily affecting students and ordinary citizens. “This is not a time for timidity, certainly not the time to be silent,” it stated.

The alliance persistently call on students, teachers, staff, and other sectors inside and outside UP Cebu to participate and join the protest actions set in the coming days.

Student councils across UP campuses nationwide and the UP Office of the Student Regent have already announced their participation in the mass protest on September 21. UP student leaders based in Metro Manila will be among those at the forefront of the massive demonstration at Luneta Park, Manila.