Thousands of UP Diliman students protest corruption, budget cuts

Thousands of University of the Philippines Diliman students participated in a 'Black Friday' protest on September 12, walking out of classes to voice opposition to government corruption and budget cuts.

The protest specifically targeted anomalies in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control and other infrastructure projects, with students expressing concern that education funds are being lost to alleged corruption.

Protesters hurled eggs at tarpaulin images of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, and threw mud at images of former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., all of whom have been linked to the controversy.

Both senators have denied the allegations, while President Marcos Jr. has formed an independent commission to investigate the flood control anomalies.

Student marchers also staged separate protest actions at the UP Manila campus, demanding accountability over the flood control controversy and calling for additional funding for state education.

UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Vistan and several deans endorsed the student demonstration.