Davao Youth Take Stand Against Government Corruption
Hundreds of young activists gathered at Roxas Freedom Park in Davao City on Monday, November 17, 2025, to mark the 84th International Students' Day and the 7th National Students' Day in the Philippines with a powerful demonstration against corruption.
The protest, organized by Kabataan Partylist Southern Mindanao Region (KPL-SMR) alongside various youth organizations and campus groups, centered on the theme "Youth Fight Back Against Corruption" and highlighted growing frustration among young Filipinos about unaddressed corruption cases.
Voices of the Youth: Demanding Accountability
Cobbie Jan Canda, KPL-SMR chairperson, emphasized that Davao's youth are no longer willing to remain silent about corruption. "The youth of Davao are unafraid to call out the Duterte family's cycle of wrongdoing," he declared, adding that they would continue the legacy of previous generations who fought for a better future.
Protesters carried placards with messages including "No to Budget Cuts," "Pondo sa Edukasyon, Hindi sa Korapsyon" (Funds for Education, Not Corruption), and "Education is a Right, Not a Privilege." The demonstration ran from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM and concluded with a community singing of Bamboo's "Tatsulok," symbolizing the ongoing struggle against inequality.
Specific Allegations and Demands
Fauzhea Guiani of Anakbayan-Southern Mindanao expressed frustration over the lack of progress in corruption cases, particularly referencing a flood control anomaly exposed four months earlier. "Until now, none of the corrupt individuals involved in the widespread corruption in our government have been jailed," she stated.
Canda specifically called out both the Marcos and Duterte families, noting that while holding the Marcos administration accountable, people should not forget the alleged corruption during former President Duterte's term. He pointed to current Vice President Sara Duterte as continuing this legacy.
The youth leader made serious allegations about government funds, claiming that President Marcos's 'pork barrel' has reached P281 billion, while unprogrammed appropriations stand at P243 billion. He emphasized that these funds could have constructed 140,000 classrooms and provided slots for 1.7 million students in state universities and colleges.
Canda accused the Duterte administration of designing the current system of Unprogrammed Appropriations, which he described as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel under a different name, now being utilized by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
A Movement Gaining Momentum
The protest signals a growing determination among Filipino youth to challenge corruption at the highest levels of government. The timing during International Students' Day underscores their commitment to connecting student rights with broader political accountability.
As Canda concluded, "We too will follow the footsteps of our predecessors who fought for a future that we all deserve," indicating that this movement represents just the beginning of sustained youth engagement in demanding transparent governance and systemic reforms in the Philippines.
