UP Baguio students, faculty walk out to protest against corruption

Baguio City, Philippines - Cries of “No to Corruption! ” echoed around the University of the Philippines–Baguio campus as about a thousand students and faculty members walked out of their classes on Wednesday, September 17, to denounce alleged anomalies in government projects. 

Wearing black shirts, the participants staged a “snake rally” that waved through the campus from the College of Social Sciences, passing the College of Arts and Communication, towards the College of Science, and finally ending at the Oblation grounds. 

The protest focused on corruption in flood control projects, which have been the subject of recent investigations in the Philippines. 

Some contractors and politicians were accused of being involved in irregular transactions, raising questions about where taxpayers’ money is really going. 

In its Facebook post, UP - Baguio mentioned that Math Professor Wilfredo Alangui, President of the AII UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU), underscored how corruption in infrastructure projects weakens education. 

The president explained that the money lost to anomalies could have supported research, improved facilities, and funded the needs of both students and teachers; thus, the protest was the university’s way of demanding accountability and showing that education must not suffer because of corruption. 

“He said the robust number of participants in the UP Baguio rally sends a strong message that civil society demands accountability reminiscent of the marches against ousted President Joseph Estrada and the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF),” the UP Baguio wrote. 

Meanwhile, Saint Louis University-Baguio announced that it will also stage its protest on September 19.

Students and faculty are encouraged to wear white as a symbol of ‘hope and solidarity with the Filipino, the Catholic Church, and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP). 

A short liturgy ( the customary public ritual of worship being performed by a religious group) will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Paul Van Parijs Event Center, SLU Main Campus.