Groups rally in Manila to commemorate International Women's Day
Groups gathered in Manila to commemorate International Women's Day and to condemn corruption in the government and the war happening in the Middle East.
On March 8, progressive organizations like Gabriela, KADAMAY, and more donned purple and took to the streets of Liwasang Bonifacio in demonstration.
Apart from anti-corruption calls, the groups also clamored for the removal of 12% VAT from basic goods and services.
Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Sarah Elago, who joined the protest, is pushing for House Bill No. 4774, or the Presyo Ibaba Bill, which seeks to include basic necessities as exempt under the E-VAT Law. It also proposes scrapping the excise tax to immediately lower the price of oil and petroleum products.
"Sa kabila ng misogyny, sexism, at patuloy na pagmamaliit sa boses ng kababaihan, malinaw ang paninindigan ng kababaihang Pilipino: hindi kami mananahimik. Sama-sama nating ipaglaban ang nakabubuhay na sahod, pagpapababa ng presyo ng bilihin, pagpapanagot sa mga korap na nagnanakaw ng buwis, at isang lipunang malaya sa diskriminasyon, pang-aapi, at pagsasamantala," she said in a Facebook post.
Additionally, the groups marched toward Kalaw Avenue near the US Embassy in Manila to slam the conflict in the Middle East, as it has burdened millions of women around the world. The United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Feb. 28 to destroy the latter's missile program. Iran retaliated with attacks of its own against Israel and US bases in Gulf states.
According to a Philippine STAR report, a brief scuffle broke out between demonstrators and authorities, but the protestors failed to breach the security line and held their program along Kalaw Avenue.
