DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 23 September) — Students of Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) staged a walkout on Tuesday to protest widespread government corruption and demand accountability from officials implicated in controversial flood control projects.
Fr. Karel San Juan, ADDU president, voiced support for the students’ action, praising their courage in denouncing systemic corruption and leaders “insensitive to the suffering of the poor.” He stated, “This mobilization shows your opposition to corruption—your disgust toward those who abuse power for greed, betraying public trust.”
Chants like “Jail the corrupt” echoed across campus as students and staff gathered at the Sunken Garden before marching along Roxas Avenue. The protest followed Senate investigations into flawed flood control projects and nationwide rallies against corruption.
San Juan condemned substandard infrastructure endangering lives, calling the walkout a stand for honesty against “institutionalized collusion and patronage politics.” Reza Baneke, an anthropology student, emphasized their duty to hold leaders accountable: “As Ateneans, we must call out corruption and failure in governance.”
Atty. Romeo Cabarde of Ateneo Legal Assistance framed the protest as a democratic lesson: “This isn’t cutting class—it’s standing up for ordinary Filipinos robbed by corruption.” A massive banner at Finster Hall declared: “Fight for Truth, Jail the Corrupt, Restore Integrity.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
