Palace to anti-corruption rallyists: Look after calamity victims too

Palace press officer Claire Castro

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday said it would not interfere with the planned anti-corruption rallies set to take place in the coming days but offered a piece of advice to participants: be busy in helping those in need too.

During a briefing, Palace press officer Claire Castro was asked whether the government would allow the scheduled protests on October 17 and 21 in Mendiola and Liwasang Bonifacio, respectively, given that a group of unruly protesters sparked chaos during the September 21 rally.

READ: Luneta rally organizers staging mass actions vs corruption on Oct. 17, 21

“Kung ang kanilang pagpoprotesta ay naaayon sa batas, hindi naman po iyan pipigilan ng Pangulo,” she responded.

(If their protest is in accordance with the law, the President will not stop it.)

“Pero sana mas maging abala rin po ang mga kababayan natin na tugunan din po ang mga pangangailangan ng iba nating mga kababayan na nasalanta. At mas mabuti po na magkaisa tayo sa pakikipagtulungan upang umangat ang ating bansa,” Castro added.

(But we hope that our fellow citizens will also be more active in addressing the needs of our countrymen who have been affected by calamities.  And it would be better if we unite and work together to help our nation rise.)

Two major rallies against corruption are scheduled on October 17 and October 21, to be led by the groups behind the September 21 Luneta protest, Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot.

The Luneta rally program was organized by Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA), but was later joined by other coalitions, including Bagong Alyansang makabayan (Bayan), Makabayan, and the One Taft Coalition, to form the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot. /gsg