By CESAR JOLITO III

At least 6,000 Negrenses are expected to join the nationwide “A Trillion March” on September 21, which calls for clean governance and accountability, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of the martial law declaration.

The indignation rally, organized locally by the One Negros Ecumenical Council (ONEC) alongside multi-sectoral groups, will begin at 1:30 p.m. from the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Lagoon and proceed to the Bacolod City Government Center Replica.

Organizers are encouraging participants to wear white shirts and ribbons to symbolize the call for transparency and reform.

The event is part of a coordinated nationwide action initiated by the Church Leader Council for National Transformation, which seeks to unite civil society, faith groups and grassroots organizations against what they denounce as “anomalous and fraudulent projects” under the Philippine government.

“This is not about supporting Duterte, Marcos or any politician. This is about being pro-truth and anti-corruption,” ONEC provincial coordinator Fr. Arman Onion said in a press briefing yesterday.

Onion stressed that the movement is neither funded nor influenced by political figures but rather driven by citizens demanding good governance.

Makabayan-Negros spokesperson Noly Rosales echoed the call, urging Bacolodnons and Negrosanons to take part in the rally.

“The power lies with the people, not with corrupt officials. This march is a demand for justice — for taxpayers, laborers and ordinary Filipinos who work tirelessly yet suffer under a broken system,” Rosales said.

The rally is expected to be one of the largest protest actions in Negros Occidental this year, coinciding with nationwide mobilizations as Filipinos reflect on the lessons of martial law and renew demands for accountability from leaders./CJ, WDJ