The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) community is set to stage a walkout on Friday, Oct. 10, to protest corruption in the country and demand a higher budget for the university.
According to a Facebook post by the PUP Office of the Students Regent (OSR) on Wednesday, the ‘largest university walkout in history’ is expected to involve 20,000 members.
‘In the face of widespread corruption, abuse, and government neglect of the education sector, the entire PUP community will not remain silent!’ PUP OSR said in Filipino.
The PUP OSR said decentralized programs will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by the walkout protest at 12 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear black.
Universities across the country have staged walkouts to condemn corruption, particularly anomalies linked to flood-control projects involving government officials and lawmakers.
On Sept. 21, anti-corruption rallies were held nationwide, including joint demonstrations at Luneta Park in Manila and the People Power Monument in Quezon City, attended by thousands of Filipinos.
The PUP community is also calling for a higher budget for the university. In a separate post, the OSR condemned the planned P9.1-billion budget cut for PUP in 2026.
According to the Department of Budget and Management’s National Expenditure Program, the university is allotted P3.62 billion for next year.
‘We will not remain silent in our classrooms while [President Ferdinand] Marcos Jr. steals our future,’ the PUP OSR said in Filipino.
Meanwhile, PUP President Dr. Manuel Muhi expressed his support for the university’s call to end corruption.
‘PUP joins the call for transparency and accountability. As a united community, we stand to condemn and hold corrupt government officials accountable,’ he said in Filipino.
‘Funds sourced from taxpayers’ money and the sacrifices of the people must be used properly and honestly. They are not meant to fill anyone’s pockets,’ Muhi added.