The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) staged a Halloween-themed anti-corruption protest in Mendiola, likening Malacanang to a haunted house occupied by ghost projects and monsters.

On Friday, October 31, demonstrators trooped to Mendiola, demonstrating a creative way to protest corruption within the government. BAYAN Secretary General Mong Palatino said the protest is aimed at exposing government corruption, which the group called the “monsters of corruption” within the bureaucracy.

Moreover, he said the protest is staged near the Palace as it is like a “haunted house.”

“Ito ang house of horror na punong-puno ng mga ghost project. Punong-puno ng mga halimaw. Gusto natin ipakita na ang tunay na pumapatay sa ating mamamayang Pilipino ay ang mga kurakot sa pamahalaan,” Palatino explained. “Sila ang mga halimaw na dapat puksain. Ang mga masasamang elemento na dapat nating aalisin na sa ating bayan.”

“Nananawagan tayo ng pananagutan at hustisya. Tayo ay nagagalit dahil ilang buwan na ang imbestigasyon. Ang nakikita lang natin [ay] cover-up. Mabagal ang aksyon, walang nakukulong na mga politiko. Samantalang tuloy ang pork barrel, tuloy ang korapsyon,” he added.

During the protest, demonstrators portrayed the so-called “monstrous corrupt officials” and the harm caused by impunity and corruption to ordinary citizens. The group said the protest also symbolizes the people’s struggle against the “demons” of corruption.