WHILE thousands march to denounce the “ghost” flood-control projects and alleged kickback schemes rocking the nation, the People’s Progressive Humanist Liberal Party (PolPHIL) offered a different perspective Sunday: The chaos is proof that Philippine democracy is alive.
In a statement released during the “Trillion Peso March” on Nov. 30, PolPHIL affirmed that the sweeping protests are a legitimate and powerful expression of the public’s demand for honest governance.
“Democracy is working — because the people are working,” said Edicio dela Torre, PolPHIL chairman emeritus and a former political prisoner.
Dela Torre argued that despite the current political turmoil, the exposure of the anomalies proves that key democratic safeguards — investigations, a vigilant press, whistleblowers, and an engaged citizenry — are functioning as intended.
“What we are witnessing is democracy in action,” Dela Torre said. “Peaceful assemblies are not threats — they are the heartbeat of democracy.”
Confronting the crisis
The party, led by National Chairman Rudolfo ‘Kit’ Cañeda, urged the administration to view the dissent not as a destabilization plot, but as a mandate for reform.
“Leaders must lead — not suppress dissent, but confront the crisis head-on,” Cañeda said. “The public has every right to demand accountability. Our leaders must respond not with intimidation, but with a firm commitment to the reforms our nation desperately needs.”
PolPHIL emphasized that the corruption exposed is structural, not isolated. The party outlined a four-point demand for comprehensive change:
Judiciary Reform: Strengthening specialized anti-corruption courts to speed up cases.
Procurement Overhaul: Implementing fully digital, “open-book” accounting for major infrastructure projects to prevent manipulated biddings.
Education: Integrating good governance and ethics into the national curriculum.
Anti-Dynasty Law: Breaking the concentration of power that facilitates corruption.
A crossroads
The party maintained that a vigilant citizenry remains the “strongest defense” against the abuse of power.
“This crisis is a crossroads,” PolPHIL stated. “If we stand together — citizens, advocates, and institutions — we can transform frustration into meaningful, lasting change. Our democracy is resilient because the Filipino people are.”
