The Federation of Urban Poor-Negros Occidental (Fed-UP) marked the 42nd death anniversary of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. by calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to jail all those involved in the “broad-daylight theft of people’s money.”
The Fed-UP members laid flowers at the foot of Aquino’s statue at Araneta Street in Bacolod City on Thursday morning, August 21.
“In the midst of the trillions of pesos going to the pockets of politicians, government officials, employees, and private contractors who conspired in the corruption of flood control projects and Department of Education (DepEd) classroom construction, FedUP calls for leaders to be like Ninoy Aquino: incorruptible and steadfast in truth, justice, and accountability,” Joy Jarabelo, FedUP Negros Occidental head, said.
Jarabelo also highlighted the devastating impact of corruption on ordinary citizens. “Many are dying from leptospirosis due to the floods. Many are starving because they are unable to earn a living, and many children cannot continue their schooling also because of the floods and lack of classrooms. Young children are also waking up too early to attend double-shift classes because of the lack of classrooms”, she said.
Corruption is “really deadly and stupid”, Jarabelo said.
“We call on the current president to make good on his promise and jail those involved in this broad-daylight theft of people’s money,” she said, adding that she hopes Filipinos will be “imbued with the soul of Ninoy” to stand up for what is right, true, and just, and hold corrupt government officials accountable.
August 21 is a special non-working holiday known as Ninoy Aquino Day. It commemorates the assassination of Aquino at the Manila International Airport (now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport) on his return from self-imposed exile in the United States, during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
His death became a catalyst that ignited widespread public outrage and protest, eventually leading to the 1986 People Power Revolution and the end of Marcos Sr.’s regime.*