Baguio Seniors Protest Corruption Ahead of Sona

BAGUIO CITY — Elderly protesters, including former government employees, marched through downtown Baguio on July 25 to call for accountability in alleged corruption cases that remain under investigation or litigation. The protest was staged two days before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday. READ: Marcos teases new chapter in corruption fight Calling themselves Seniors Kontra sa Kurakot, the group carried placards criticizing what they described as the slow pace of the government’s anti-corruption campaign, particularly involving alleged multibillion-peso infrastructure projects that they claimed enriched top officials and elected leaders through kickbacks. “Corruption is a deadly disease,” read the placard carried by Martial Law victim and veteran Ibaloy activist Joanna Cariño. “Stop flooding us with corruption,” read another placard held by elderly activist Stephen Tauli. Another sign read, “Every stolen peso is a stolen senior benefit,” highlighting what the group said is the impact of corruption on public services and benefits for older Filipinos. “We have seen political dynasties flourish. We have seen the padrino system at work, where the same people approve questionable projects and protect one another from accountability,” said Jeanette Ribaya-Cawiding of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers in Filipino. “And what has happened to us? We have been neglected not only in terms of public services but also in the country’s genuine development. What we see is that no major figures are being held accountable or imprisoned—only the small fry. We must take a stand. Here in Baguio, we are Metro Baguio Seniors Kontra Kurakot, and we are here to join and strengthen the call against corruption,” she added. The protesters assembled at Malcolm Square beside the bust of the late American jurist and former Philippine Supreme Court Associate Justice George Malcolm, who is credited with drafting Baguio City’s 1909 charter. The group said they would return to Malcolm Square on Monday to join a larger protest in time for the Sona. Baguio, a city planned and developed during the American colonial period, has since branded itself as an inclusive human rights city and enacted an ordinance recognizing and protecting human rights defenders. /mcm