Rolly Magallanes TACLOBAN CITY — Scores of students from the University of the Philippines Tacloban College, along with members of progressive groups led by Paul Lachica, the secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) in Eastern Visayas, held a rally on Monday, November 17, 2025. They demanded government accountability amid corruption allegations raised in the ongoing congressional inquiry.
The protest began at 11:00 a.m. in front of the UP Tacloban campus. Students carried placards demanding a full investigation into officials allegedly involved in the flood control corruption controversy linked to testimony by former lawmaker Zaldy Co.
Protesters argued that alleged anomalies, amounting to ₱200 billion, should be fully recovered and “returned to the national treasury to fund essential public services.”
“If the billions that are said to be missing are true, all officials from top to bottom should be held accountable. This is not just a political issue. It is an issue concerning the future of the youth,” Lachica stated.
Students echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that corruption diverts funds from education and their needs on the ground. Many pointed out the lack of computers, printers and adequate learning facilities for public school and state university students.
Protesters also renewed their call for the release of the “Tacloban Five,” activists arrested in previous law-enforcement operations. They claimed that the detainees were unjustly imprisoned and called for immediate action on their cases.
During the program, some speakers criticized prominent political families, accusing them of enabling corruption and impunity. BAYAN emphasized that these sentiments were from the youth sector, highlighting their right to protest and express dissent under the Constitution.
“Many youth are tired of the repeated stories of abuse of power. That’s why we call on all young people to stand up, fight, and defend the future,” Lachica stated.
(Photo: Video screenshot of UP Vista Facebook reel)
