Marcos backs mass protests vs corruption

‘I’d be in the streets with them if...’

- ALEXIS ROMERO

Despite rumors linking the coming anti-corruption rallies to destabilization plots, President Marcos will not stop Filipinos from joining the scheduled protests on Sept. 21, encouraging them to express their outrage against those who stole their money through anomalous projects.

"If I (were not) the president, I might be out in the streets with them," he said at a press briefing yesterday at Malacañang.

"I brought this up. And it is in my interest that we find a solution to what has become a very egregious problem," he said. "It's actually known to many people, but it has now been exposed to the general public. Do you blame them for going out into the streets?"

"Let your sentiments be known to them - how they hurt you, how they stole from you. Shout at them... You demonstrate. Just keep it peaceful. If it is not peaceful... the police will have to do its duty to maintain peace and order," he said.

Sept. 21 marks the 53rd anniversary of martial law declared by his father and namesake.

"To show that you are enraged, to show that you are angry, to show that you are disappointed, to show that you want justice, to show that you want fairness - what's wrong with that?" Marcos asked.

The President, who ordered a probe on the alleged irregularities in the flood control projects during his fourth State of the Nation Address, said he shares the sentiments of people who want the corrupt to be held accountable.

"Of course, they are enraged. Of course, they are angry. I am angry.

We should all be angry. Because what's happening is not right. I want to show that there's justice. I want to show that there is fairness," the Chief Executive said. "I want to hold these people accountable, just like they do.