KARAPATAN rallied support for the People’s Protest Against Poverty, Corruption and Impunity on January 31st at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila saying that its call for accountability has gained added significance, with three pending impeachment complaints filed against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives, a disbarment case against former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte pending at the Supreme Court and an ongoing investigation at the International Criminal Court on the extrajudicial killings and crimes against humanity in Duterte’s drug war.
Organized by the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA), the mass gathering aims to demand urgent action from the Marcos Jr. regime in exacting accountability from the Dutertes — with respect to the elder Duterte, for violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) and for conduct unbecoming a lawyer, and an ICC probe; and with respect to Sara Duterte, for misuse of hundreds of millions of pesos worth of government funds. TAMA NA also organized protests in Cebu City, Bacolod City, Iloilo and Naga City.
“Instead of leading the charge, however, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been reining in moves to impeach Sara Duterte,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay. “Also, he has not officially endorsed cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to have Rodrigo Duterte arrested and prosecuted for tens of thousands of drug war-related killings,” she added.
“Although he is hellbent on monopolizing power and all its perks,” said Palabay, “Marcos Jr. is heeding his imperialist master’s admonitions not to cause instability in the ruling system.”
“Marcos Jr. not only refuses to act, his government is repeating the same human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law that characterized his predecessor’s regime,” stressed Palabay.
“In the face of Marcos Jr.’s dilly-dallying, the Duterte disbarment case is being pushed as an initiative from victims of Duterte’s brutal drug war and counter-insurgency drive,” she added.
“The people will be speaking with one voice today to make Marcos Jr. heed their demands for justice not just for the lives cut short under Duterte’s watch and for the monies squandered by Sara Duterte that could have funded urgently needed social services,” said Palabay. “They also seek action on the burning issues of soaring prices, low wages, widespread poverty and massive corruption in high places.”
“Marcos Jr. must not turn a deaf ear to the people’s clamor,” Palabay concluded.