Panel speakers of the “Nagkakaisang Sigaw ng Batangas” forum emphasized the importance of public involvement in anti-corruption efforts at the De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) Sentrum, Nov. 8.
Organized by Tindig Batangas, the assembly consisted of four panel discussions tackling the national state of corruption, civil society’s mitigating role, systemic transparency and accountability reforms, as well as social media’s advantages in pursuing collective action.
In an interview with Lavoxa Online, Akbayan Partylist Representative Atty. Chel Diokno stressed that corruption significantly affects the public’s quality of life, signifying the value of protests to ensure justice.
“Ang korapsyon ay nakakaapekto sa ating lahat, [partikular sa] kalidad ng buhay [ng] mga ordinaryong Pilipino at mga basic sectors natin. Kaya sana po lahat tayo ay ma-involve; ipaabot natin ang ating hinaing […] na magkaroon ng pananagutan at bawiin ang perang ninakaw,” said Diokno.
Meanwhile, political analyst Kiko Aquino Dee added that more transparent government initiatives like the provision of additional funding and publicization of hearings for the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) can be attributed to such movements.
“Yung dating ginawang ICI [ay] sinubukan gawing […] patago ‘yung gawain and limitado ‘yung mga powers. Ngayon dinamihan ‘yung pondo tsaka […] i-livestream na ‘yung ibang hearings nila, and tingin ko po [ay] tugon ‘yan sa malawakang kilos-protesta,” Dee said.
With the event being held in an educational institution, DLSL Education Department Associate Professor Alicia Botardo stated that educators should “walk the talk” by participating in the fight against corruption to set a good example for the student body.
“Isang napakahalagang role ng ating mga educators ay magbigay ng tamang ehemplo sa mga mag-aaral– ‘yung ‘walk the talk’ na tinatawag. Maganda na nakikita ng mga bata na tayo ay lumalaban sa katiwalian,” Botardo expressed.
The five-hour conference gathered various leaders, civic groups, students, and citizens from across Batangas province.
Reports from Mariah Althea Alday
