Marcos supports street protests vs corruption 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a press conference in Malacanang on monday announces the formation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure following the alleged anomalies in the flood control projects in the country. Last September 13, Marcos appointed former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Rossana Fajardo, retired associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to investigate the alleged misuse of funds in flood control projects. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he supports public protests against massive corruption in government, and that if he were not the president, he himself would be joining the demonstrations.

“Do you blame them for going out on the streets?” said Marcos at a press conference when asked about the public mobilizing to protest recently exposed government anomalies, following similar movements in Indonesia and Nepal.

“If I weren’t president, I might be out in the streets with them,” he added.

“Of course, they are enraged. They are angry. I’m angry. We should all be angry, because what is happening is not right,” said the president.

READ: INQToday: Marcos says would join protests vs corruption too if he’s not president

Sept. 21 rallies

Various church, civic, and activist organizations have called for joint rallies on Sept. 21 in Metro Manila to denounce government corruption, particularly in flood control projects.

The protest date, Sept. 21, also marks the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the country by the president’s late father, Ferdinand Sr.

Marcos said he wasn’t worried that the protests would turn violent the way they did in Nepal and Indonesia, because his administration was working to solve the problem.

“That is only if we do not do anything about it. You have to remember, I brought this up. It is my interest that we find a solution to what has become a very egregious problem,” said Marcos.

The president, however, still asked protesters to keep their demonstrations peaceful.

“You let them know your sentiments. You let them know how they hurt you, how they stole from you; you shout at them and do everything, demonstrate. You just keep it peaceful,” he said.

“If it’s no longer peaceful… the police will have to do [their] duty to maintain peace and order,” he added.

He then reiterated his support for those who wish to voice their sentiments in the streets.

“To show that you are enraged, angry, disappointed that you want justice and fairness, what’s wrong with that?” he said.

“I want to show that there is justice and there is fairness. I want to hold these people accountable just like they do, so I don’t blame them, not one bit,” he added.

Luneta, Edsa

In a press conference on Monday, the coalition of groups spearheading the Sept. 21 rallies condemned the anomalies in flood control projects and called for prosecuting those behind them.

Tama Na convener David San Juan invited the public to join a 9 a.m. rally at Luneta (Rizal Park) in Manila to demand accountability for corrupt politicians, the disclosure of statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of all public officials, and their signing of bank secrecy waivers.

Trillion People March spokesperson Francis Aquino Dee said a separate rally, to be held at 2 p.m. at the People Power Monument in Quezon City along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa), is expected to draw over 15,000 people, led by church leaders, civil society organizations, educational institutions, lawmakers, and former government officials.

READ: Planned nationwide anti-corruption protests trigger AFP red alert

Bishop Colin Bagaforo of the Diocese of Kidapawan encouraged those who will join the afternoon rally to wear white “as a symbol of unity and hope.”

Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña described the coming mass action as the “boiling point of people’s anger” against corruption in government.

The House of Representatives and the Senate have been investigating alleged substandard and nonexistent flood control projects in separate televised inquiries. Dozens of legislators, senators, construction companies and public works engineers have been identified and accused of pocketing huge kickbacks that financed lavish lifestyles with mansions, luxury cars and high-stakes casino gambling.

The country has spent an estimated P545 billion ($9.6 billion) on thousands of flood mitigation projects in the last three years alone. —WITH A REPORT FROM AP INQ