By CESAR JOLITO III
Thousands of Negrenses marched through the streets of Bacolod City yesterday, joining the nationwide “Trillion Peso March” — a protest action against corruption that, organizers said, has robbed generations of opportunities and continues to weaken the country’s democratic institutions.
According to Fr. Mao Buenafe of the Concerned Council Citizens, around 5,000 individuals joined the protest yesterday, while the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported a smaller figure of 2,500.
PRO-NIR also reported that the rally was peaceful and orderly, with no significant incidents reported.
The rally, spearheaded by youth groups, church leaders, concerned citizens, and former government officials, carried placards and chants denouncing the “trillion-peso theft” from the nation’s coffers.
Protesters held banners with messages such as “Ikulong ang mga Kurap,” “Corruption Kills,” “Tapuson ang Kurapsyon kag Dinastiya,” and “Trillion Peso March: A Call Against Corruption.”
The march began at around 1:00 p.m. at the South Capitol Road along Lacson Street, moved through Rizal Street, where participants passed by the San Sebastian Cathedral, then proceeded along Araneta Street before culminating at the Bacolod City Public Plaza, in front of the replica of the Bacolod City Government Center.
‘No colors, only accountability’
Ken Paolo Gilo of Akbayan Youth emphasized that the protest was not tied to any political party.
“Wala kita diri sang color. Wala kita labot kung ano ina nga partido ang nangawat — basta nangawat ka, prisohon ka,” Gilo said.
He lamented how corruption robs the youth of opportunities.
“Kadamo sang mga youth nga wala naka-eskwela, kay ang kwarta nga dapat sa scholarship ara sa ila nga luxury cars … Ang dapat nga kwarta nga bulong para sa aton lolo kag lola, tito kag tita nga dapat tani makaluwas kag makapamag-an sang ila nga mga kabuhi, wala na, kay ara sa ila nga mahalalon nga bag.”
The movement drew attention to allegations of trillions of pesos lost to anomalous flood control and other government infrastructure projects, demanding accountability and systemic reforms in the government sector.
‘We cannot remain silent’
Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod expressed support for protesters against widespread corruption involving government infrastructure projects.
“The people are rising in anger,” Buzon said in his homily at San Sebastian Cathedral yesterday.
“The Church is one with them and shares their hurt, frustration and indignation. She cannot remain silent, for the Lord himself rejects worship divorced from justice. In fact, God is enraged with injustice and sides with the victim,” he added.
Meanwhile, former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela reflected on the painful irony of protesting against corruption and abuse of power on the same day martial law was declared 53 years ago.
“Gabatyag kami sang kasubo subong … halin pa sang tyempo sang martial law asta karon, daw kada tuig gasinggit gihapon kita nga dapat tarong ang gobyerno. Pero ari na naman kita subong nagtipon, kag ang matahom sini kay wala color — tanan nga sector nag-inupdanay sa isa lang ka kawsa,” Coscolluela said.
He stressed the need not only for accountability but also for transparency.
“Dapat ang may salabton, presohon. Pero indi naton pagkalimtan ang transparency. Angay mahibal-an naton kun ano ang ginabuhat kag ginaplano sang gobyerno para kung makita naton nga indi insakto, mauntat naton,” Coscolluela added.
More than 50 years since the declaration of martial law in 1972, organizers linked today’s calls for transparency and accountability to the dark memory of authoritarian rule, reminding the public that unchecked power and impunity must never again be allowed to flourish.
Furthermore, former Bacolod Councilor Enoy Novero, also part of the Concerned Council Citizens, said their group will begin inspections and investigations of flood control and infrastructure projects in Bacolod starting today.
“We promise everyone that we will not stop only on the investigation. We have what we call IPI — investigation, prosecution and imprisonment,” Novero declared./CJ, WDJ