To Protest is Justified: Embodying Bonifacio’s Spirit in the Streets

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By Juliane Judilla and Lee Harvey Gumban

ILOILO CITY – Thousands of Ilonggos filled the streets of Iloilo as they simultaneously marched from Jaro Plaza and Infante Flyover toward the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for the KKK Bonifacio Day Mobilization on November 30.

Led by Kahublagan Kontra Kurapsyon (KKK), the protest was part of a series of nationwide coordinated activities against corruption coinciding with the commemoration of Bonifacio Day.

Attended by various civil society organizations, church ministries, broad youth and student formations, and ecumenical and sectoral progressive groups, the resounding call was to hold corrupt officials accountable, particularly President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Even though we already rallied on September 21, Marcos is keeping the pork barrel in our budget until 2026—keeping it in the allocables. He is still the pork-barrel king, and Sara Duterte is the spending queen,” KKK Lead Convenor and former congressman Raoul Manuel said.

The groups highlighted the importance of continuing the legacy and life led by Andres Bonifacio, a prominent working-class hero who organized worker unions and ultimately led the Katipunan to fight for Philippine independence during the Spanish colonization.

“Gat Andres Bonifacio’s message is what we must hold on to today. There will be no justice for the people amid deep and widespread corruption if we do not take action,” Mario Andon of United Labor Alliance said.

Various protest actions across the entire island of Panay were also observed.

In San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, almost a thousand individuals gathered at EBJ Plaza for the Bugtaw Antique Peace Walk, led by the Antique Amlig Alliance.

In Roxas City, more than 200 participants, led by Kahublagan Kontra Kurapsyon – Capiz, marched to demand transparency, accountability, and justice, later joining the Archdiocese of Capiz’s prayer rally against corruption. Meanwhile, in Kalibo, Aklan, progressive groups held a noise barrage calling for truth, justice, and stronger anti-corruption reforms.

These coordinated actions across Panay are part of the nationwide campaign against corruption, echoing Bonifacio Day’s reminder of the people’s responsibility to oppose abuses of power and to reclaim the streets to fight for what is right and just.

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