THE faith-based organization Promotion of Church People’s Response – Northern Mindanao Region (PCPR-NMR) announced it will hold a “Black Friday Protest” on October 31, mobilizing clergy, lawyers, and citizens to demand accountability and an end to corruption — especially citing bogus flood-control projects.
In an emailed statement today, October 28, the group urged “all Filipinos and Kagay-anons to continue the fight for justice, accountability, [and] demand corrupt officials to be imprisoned.”
The protest will begin at 4 pm at Iglesia Filipina Independiente’s Cathedral of Jesus the Nazarene at Pabayo-Pacana Streets, followed by a march to Velez Street where attendees will participate in a short program and candle-lighting activity.
Participants are asked to wear black: black clerical attire for clergy and any black clothing for non-clergy.
“The Church will never be silent or blind to the plight of the Filipino people under systemic corruption in the bureaucracy. We will continue to demand accountability, transparency and good governance,” Rev. Jefferson Palasan, PCPR-NMR general secretary, said over the phone.
The upcoming October 31 event builds on PCPR-NMR’s earlier “Prayer Rallies for Accountability and Against Corruption” and its September 19 “Black Friday Protest” in this city.
“We will keep calling for those involved in this rampant corruption to be jailed. Silence will never be an option. By standing with the people in their struggle, we embody the living message of the liberating gospel of Christ,” Palasan said.
The group, alongside the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM-NMR) and other civic-church organizations, has been active in mounting anti-corruption rallies in the region.
“People are calling on us lawyers to help put the corrupt behind bars and recover the stolen — so it finally goes where it should: education, housing, health care and environmental services,” UPLM-NMR General Secretary Beverly Selim-Musni said.
These local actions align with a national movement sometimes referred to as the “Trillion Peso March,” which focuses on alleged massive corruption tied to government infrastructure and flood-control schemes.
Pundits say these projects particularly affect the poor — those most exposed to flooding and with the least recourse.
By pressing the issue again on October 31, PCPR-NMR aims to sustain momentum and press for institutional change rather than limiting efforts to a single event.
