Join today’s rallies

Last Thursday, I wrote a column “Remembering Sept. 21.” It included a review of the book “Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa ’Yo: Heroes and Martyrs of the Filipino People in the Struggle Against the Dictatorship, 1972-1986” (Vol.1) edited by Carolina S. Malay. She immediately sent a message which I now share with the readers.

“Thank you for your column this morning about the heroes and martyrs on the Wall of Remembrance at Bantayog ng mga Bayani. It was my honor to be involved in this two-volume project.

“But the material in these two books have only skimmed the surface. One day more research will be done. Deeper analysis and more data will allow us to see how the amazing fabric of Philippine society continues to be woven by ordinary people, ordinary families, from decades and even centuries ago. Families bring forth heroes (and some villains too). And in our country, families are still rooted in particular localities. Local history is very important – why are there certain places where resistance to oppression and domination manifest in generation after generation?

“There is so much to be proud of. And, certainly, so many challenges to overcome! We will.

“… We’re happy to be together with you and your family in building our nation.”

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The convenors of the Trillion Peso March at EDSA today issued 16 rules of safety and behavior for those planning to attend the rally.

Here are the 16 items:

1. Expected crowd – 30,000

2. The delegates will be coming from various groups; name of contact persons and contact numbers of each coalition will be provided before the event; a consolidated list of groups coming from the coalitions will be provided.

3. The delegates will assemble along EDSA Shrine and Temple Drive.

4. The assembly march will start from the EDSA Shrine going to the People Power Monument, and another group from Temple Drive going to the People Power Monument.

5. There will be security marshalls to highlight the march – 100 from ANIM, 100 from RAM and 100 from the Knights of Columbus.

6. Stage will be set up facing Temple Drive but will not reach the People Power Monument.

7. Program proper will start at 2:00 p.m. and will end before 6:00 p.m.

8. Egress will be at 3:00 a.m. for the set-up of tents, sound systems, LED boards and others.

9. A pre-program will start at around 9:45 a.m. with the celebration of a Holy Mass.

10. Portalets to be coordinated with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

11. Medics will be provided by the DRRMO and the barangay.

12. Delegates will be dropped off at EDSA Shrine, Temple Drive or at PPM.

13. Parking will be determined/finalized during the walk-through on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

14. No plastic bottled water is allowed; garbage bags will be provided in designated water stations.

15. Ensure the cleanliness of the area during and after the event.

16. DSQC will conduct clean-up operation at 6:00 p.m.

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De La Salle Philippines’ Statement on the Massive Corruption on Flood Control Projects:

Corruption affects our work of education

“Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. All the workers you’ve exploited and cheated cry out for judgment.” James:5:4

We, the network of De La Salle Schools in the Philippines (DLSP), are appalled by the large-scale and multi-billion corruption on flood control projects allegedly committed by suppliers and negotiators, as authorized by some members of government leaders, many of whom are public works contractors, congressmen and senators, who are in collusion with greedy bureaucrats from the DPWH. They usurped the money that should have been used for projects to prevent or mitigate flooding in different communities all throughout the country. Because these projects were either substandard or were entirely not implemented (or ghost), we now see its effects as detrimental to the lives of people, especially the poor.

Enough is enough. We demand accountability from those involved whether they are legislators, civil servants or private contractors. The current congressional investigations should be complemented with the setting up of an independent commission composed of members with proven competency, integrity, honesty and statesmanship. This independent commission should not only investigate the multi-billion corruption committed on flood control projects but, more importantly, prosecute all the wrongdoers, whoever they may be. We need to punish the guilty so that the Filipino people will finally learn that involvement in any form of corruption does not pay.

As a network of educational institutions, we value and teach honesty, accountability, responsibility, hard work, perseverance and integrity, among others. Corruption scandals like these affect our efforts to properly educate young people because what they see in government is the opposite of the values we teach them. Corruption affects our work of education. We call on our schools to patiently insist on what is right and moral by teaching our students the values congruent to common good. Our schools shall provide opportunities and spaces for discussions on the ill effects of corruption on public works projects, bringing into a deeper understanding that the lives of thousands of people, especially the poor and powerless, is further made worse by corruption.