Multiple rights groups, journalists, fisherfolkes, workers, peasants, church people, urban poor, government workers, students, and citizens from Bacolod City and Negros Occidental converged at the Bacolod City Public Plaza to express their disappointment on the past 4 years of the Duterte administration.

Highlights from speeches during the events were the human rights violations that have spurred over the island from the time the EO70 and MO32 were implemented—not to stop lawless violence as intended but to stop the administrations critics.

On top of this, various groups called out the government to know its priorities most especially in this time of pandemic where no systematic solution has been seen by the people as to how the government has addressed the inter-linked health and economic issues of the country.

Among the entities who were part of the rally were the National Federation of Sugar Workers, PM Negros, Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralita ng Lungsod, BAYAN-Negros, Movement Against Tyranny, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Bacolod Youth Alliance, League of Filipino Students, Akbayan, Federation of Urban Poor, and Councillor Wilson “Jun” Gamboa, Jr.

Despite initial heavy police presence, the event proceeded without incident, with both authorities and participants observing social distancing throughout the course of the event.

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Bianca Montilla of the Bacolod Youth Alliance was also spotted wearing an advocacy sash, inspired by Sarah Elago’s tradition of wearing such during each year’s State of the Nation address.

“The sash was inspired by Cong. Sarah Jane Elago’s tradition of wearing an advocacy sash representing the youth’s demands. As for my sash or sablay as they called it, it was made out of the collective efforts of me and my friends who can’t participate the protest due to the dangers of COVID-19. Which is why I did my part to stand with them and wear a sash bearing their cries and demands and placed it near my heart. This goes the same way to everyone especially to my co-youth, if we all add up our little efforts to come as one then we’ll be able to become as one; greater and fiercer in power.”