The political coalition 1Sambayan on Wednesday dismissed growing calls for the ouster or resignation of President Bongbong Marcos over alleged anomalies in the government’s flood control projects, saying a leadership change would not serve the country at this time.
“1Sambayan is not calling for any resignation or any regime change,” convenor and lawyer Howard Calleja said, emphasizing that merely replacing leaders without structural reforms would only perpetuate political instability.
Calleja, a constitutional law professor, argued that “If we will just change the individual or the politician without changing our system… corruption will still be there,” stressing that “change does not automatically lead to accountability.”
He noted that their Bonifacio Day rally on November 30 will focus strictly on demanding accountability for the unfolding corruption scandals, not on pushing a change in government.
“Gusto natin na we hold them accountable, than change (the government),” he said.
Calleja acknowledged rising public impatience over the slow pace of investigations following the initial “Trillion Peso March” on September 21, warning that “people are really growing impatient… others are becoming increasingly angry.”