By Francessca Abalos

MANILA – The youth’s indignation was felt throughout the Ateneo de Manila University last Friday, Nov. 22.  

Dressed in blue and white, undergraduate students left their classes to march across the campus in Quezon City. Participants eventually converged in the campus’s Zen Garden to listen and, in turn, be heard. They decried government inaction over the flood control scandals that rocked the nation two months ago that spurred massive protests in Luneta and in Edsa last Sept. 21. 

For the Ateneo community, this event was a continuation of those movements. It was a part of the Nationwide Walkout Against Corruption, but, more importantly, a lead up to Nov. 30 protest against corruption. 

President of the Ateneo Student Catholic Action Angel Rose Sarmiento noted that the walkout should show youths that they are also responsible for seeking justice in the nation. “We want to convey through this walkout that the youth should continue to intervene and be consistent in their protests against corruption,” Sarmiento said. 

She recalled how unchecked corruption led to the devastation experienced during Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) and Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong). As students and Christian people, Sarmiento highlights that the Ateneo community must stand with the people. 

Spokesperson of Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) Miguel Angelo Basuel agreed with Sarmiento’s points. But he added that no contractor or government official has been prosecuted. 

“We need to establish the People’s Transition Council, so our government [will have] the masses seated in power. The Filipino people, those who were scorned [by those in power], will sit,” he explained. 

The call for a People’s Transition Council is not new, with it being a proposed alternative as far back as the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 

Sectoral leaders like Ka Leody De Guzman and civic groups such as Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) have described it as a platform to meaningfully reform the political system. Here, the government will be overseen by everyday Filipinos who forward the interests of the people.

More than this however, the Council  is also meant to hold government officials accountable, adds Secretary of Political Education for Partido Pandayan Jean Diaz. 

“The people will make you face the consequences of your decisions, of your corruption, of your power. Establish a people’s transitional council now,” he asserted. (AMU)