Makabayan calls for EDSA protest vs. Marcos

The Makabayan bloc on Sunday urged the public to join a mass mobilization on 25 February at 1 p.m. at the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas to demand accountability from Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over what it described as “rampant and systematic corruption” under his administration.

In a statement, the group said that four decades after the 1986 People Power Revolution, corruption remains a central issue in governance.

“Forty years after the Filipino people toppled the Marcos dictatorship at EDSA, we face the same rot and plunder under the son. From allocables to unprogrammed appropriations to kickbacks, the Marcos Jr. administration has turned corruption into a system of governance. The billions in missing funds, the questionable budget realignments, and the brazen misuse of public resources demand answers. We ask: Nasaan ang 8 bilyong piso? Marcos Jr., as the chief architect of this corrupt regime, must be held accountable,” the bloc said.

The group added that the planned mobilization would also demand accountability from Sara Duterte and other officials allegedly involved in corruption.

It said impeachment complaints filed against both Marcos and Duterte are supported by what it described as documented evidence of betrayal of public trust.

Makabayan also criticized reports that the area in front of the EDSA Shrine had been declared a “no rally zone.”

“We condemn the administration's attempts to intimidate the people by declaring the area in front of EDSA Shrine a ‘no rally zone.’ This blatant suppression of the people's constitutional right to assembly and free expression exposes the administration's fear of public accountability. The Filipino people will not be silenced. We will march on EDSA to condemn corruption and the continuing decay of our political system,” the group said.

The bloc likewise denounced what it called attempts to limit slogans and demands during the commemoration, including prohibitions on calls to oust certain officials.

“The spirit of EDSA is the spirit of people's resistance against tyranny and corruption. Four decades after EDSA 1986, we face a regime that has learned nothing from history. The Marcos family has returned to power, not to serve the people, but to continue the plunder and oppression that marked the dictatorship era,” the statement read.

Makabayan urged supporters to join the 25 February gathering.

“We urge everyone to join the February 25 mobilization. Bring your anger over rising prices, poverty wages, and government neglect. Bring your demands for justice and accountability. Together, we will show that the Filipino people remain vigilant and will not tolerate corruption and abuse of power. Magmartsa tayo sa EDSA ngayong Pebrero 25. Panagutin si Marcos Jr., hari ng korapsyon. Ituloy ang laban sa korapsyon at kahirapan.”