MANILA – A massive rally titled “Gathering for Accountability: Impeach Sara! Protect the Nation’s Coffers!” is set to take place at the People Power Monument in EDSA on January 31, 2025, at 9 a.m.
The event aims to rally public support and demand immediate action from Congress on the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The impeachment case accuses Vice President Duterte of alleged gross misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, as well as significant budget misappropriations in the recently passed national government budget. Organizers and complainants claim the rally underscores the critical need for accountability and transparency in governance.
The event is spearheaded by complainants of the impeachment case, alongside prominent progressive political parties, religious leaders, and civil society organizations. Key groups and individuals include Tindig Pilipinas, Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña, ML Party-list leader Erin Tañada, Magdalo Party-list’s Eugene Gonzales, Father Robert Reyes, Father Flavie Villanueva, labor leader Sonny Matula of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, and youth organizations like the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and Akbayan Youth.
Organizers anticipate at least 5,000 participants, coming from various social, political, and religious sectors. The program will feature a mass, testimonials from the complainants, cultural performances, and speeches from political and sectoral leaders.
A Call for Transparency and Justice
The rally serves as a clarion call for public vigilance, urging citizens to hold public officials accountable for the management of national funds. “This is not just about filing complaints but protecting the nation’s coffers from abuse and ensuring good governance,” organizers stated.
Participants will march to the EDSA Shrine in the afternoon, where a concert rally organized by the Citizens and Clergy for Good Governance (CCGG) will take place at 2 p.m. The concert rally aims to amplify the public’s collective voice for reform and integrity in public service.
A Growing Momentum for Accountability
The impeachment case against Vice President Duterte highlights growing concerns over the use of confidential funds by high-ranking government officials. The complainants believe this is a pivotal moment for Congress to demonstrate its commitment to accountability by acting decisively on the complaints filed.
This gathering is seen as a continuation of the spirit of the 1986 People Power Revolution—a testament to the power of collective action in ensuring justice and accountability in governance.
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