Letran students hold placards calling for accountability during the Walkout Against Corruption at Letran Facade. Photo by: Julia Iris Eguillano
Students from Letran-Manila walked out of their classes to join the “Walkout Against Corruption, Walkout for Our Rights,” a protest led by the Letran Student Council (LSC) in partnership with ONE Intramuros and the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) on Friday, Oct. 17.
Letranites gathered at the facade before marching to Liwasang Bonifacio to join groups from nearby universities, including Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and Mapúa University.
LSC President Jed Federico Acosta said the protest was a response to ongoing corruption issues in various government agencies, particularly reports of “ghost projects” and misuse of public funds.
“We can see that our government is fooling us. There are ghost projects everywhere, especially in DPWH flood projects… we need to show our collective voice and push for good governance at all levels,” Acosta said.
Acosta also emphasized that the LSC prioritized the safety and welfare of participants throughout the protest.
Despite being an unsanctioned protest, Acosta said the LSC still informed the administration to seek support and maintain order on campus, emphasizing that the protest would proceed regardless of approval.
“Approved daw, pero ang directive sa amin ay hanggang facade lang talaga…[pero ‘yun nga] I cannot control them. The LSC cannot control the Letranites who are very angry of what's happening in our country. So simula’t sapul wala kaming magagawa if gusto talaga nilang sumama sa Liwasang Bonifacio or sa Mendiola.”
The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) expressed support for promoting civic awareness. However, DSA instructed students to assemble only within the campus, meet participants briefly in front of Letran, and refrain from joining the walk to Liwasang Bonifacio or other areas outside the campus, citing concerns for the students’ safety, security, and welfare.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) stated, on the day before the protest, that it had no prior knowledge of the walkout and emphasized that any such request must prioritize student safety and be coordinated with the Colegio’s higher administration.
Among the participants was Aljay Bungay, a 4th year Political Science student who said joining the walkout was a way to express frustration over the state of corruption in the country.
“...As [a] working student, malaking kagalitan sa’kin ‘yung korupsyon na nangyayari, hindi lang ngayon, simula pa dati. Mas nakakagalit siya ngayon kasi mas vulgar na ‘yung nangyayari sa korupsyon,” he said.
NSTP faculty member Inst. Arnel Galgo described the movement as a continuation of previous student initiatives for social awareness, such as the “Dungaw and Batingaw” activity organized by Letran-Manila with students, faculties, and administrators in Sept. 19.
“Sana before we go out we are prepared, we know the issues. Para kapag sumama ka, alam mo kung bakit ka sumasama…because we are students of a Catholic education and institution. And we believe this is part of not only academics, but it is a part of being Christian faithful.”
The National Union of Students of the Philippines–NCR (NUSP), which helped organize the mobilization, said the protest was part of a nationwide call for accountability.
NUSP–NCR Coordinator Rebecca Aira Baliton shared that corruption has long been a systemic problem and that student action is essential to pressure the government into real reform.
“We believe it is important to help our student councils lead their constituents na bumoses sa mga katiwalian…mayroon tayong power na mag-influence ng mga other citizens pa natin na maki-isa para talaga may change na mangyari.”
Baliton said NUSP plans to continue its advocacy through future mass actions, including a “Walk for Flood Victims” scheduled on Nov. 7, where communities from across Metro Manila will converge at Liwasang Bonifacio.
After the Liwasang Bonifacio program, the One Intramuros contingent joined One Taft and other participating schools at Mendiola to demand for accountability and good governance.