MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said there is no basis for protesters to do an equivalent of “Occupy Wall Street” in the Philippines, saying the administration has been batting for inclusive growth.
“It’s possible that there are certain groups that will try to ape or imitate the Occupy Wall Street but it cannot be compared with our administration. We’ve always fought for inclusive growth,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
In response to a mass action led by the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) and North Triangle residents this morning, Lacierda said it is not true that President Aquino has sided with corporate interests.
He said the Aquino administration has undertaken social programs that benefit the poor , which means that the government is “siding with the poorest of the poor.”
Protests have sprung up across the globe, inspired by the “Occupy Wall Street” movement in New York. Anti-capitalist demonstrators have camped near financial districts.
In the Philippines, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and International League of Peoples Struggles led solidarity actions at the Philippine Stock Exchange and the American Chamber of Commerce in Makati on October 14. The following day, the groups led a protest action in front of the US embassy in Manila to coincide with what they called a "global day of action against imperialist war and plunder".
PALEA members and residents of North Triangle also trooped to Roxas Boulevard on Monday, carrying “We are the 99%” placards.
"Kami ang 99% pero bakit ang gubyerno sa mga Lucio Tan at Ayala panig," the group said.