ASEANEWS HEADLINE-CORRUPTION | MANILA: Fury over corruption: All set for twin rallies
Thousands set to converge at Luneta for mass protest against corruption | ANC
Crowds to gather at EDSA, Rizal Park
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MANILA, Philippines — It’s all systems go for the “Trillion Peso March” at the People Power Monument on EDSA and the “Baha” rally in Rizal Park today, where thousands are expected to gather to protest massive corruption in flood control projects, allegedly involving politicians and government officials.
In an interview over radio dzBB, Kiko Aquino-Dee, a grandson of the late former president Corazon Aquino and one of the convenors of SIKLAB, said that while he is part of the organizing team for the rally at the People Power Monument, he is in solidarity with the Church-led mass action in Rizal Park.
“The call of the Church is for every Filipino to unite against corruption, as leaders of the Church always say corruption has no color,” Dee said.
Dee said the participants of the rallies are expected to be in white or carry white ribbons, as a symbol of unity.
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Today also marks the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law.
“This is a call for the Marcos administration and past administrations to account. We have no call for resignation and most especially no call for violent protest nor regime change outside the 1987 Constitution,” Dee said.
“I believe that whoever wants power in the Philippines should undergo the correct process of the ballot during elections,” he added.
“Once the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) discloses all those involved in the corruption, our call to our fellow citizens, if they return to the upcoming 2028 elections, they should junk the corrupt politicians and make sure they will no longer return to power to stop the corruption in the Philippines,” Dee added. He was referring to the body formed by the President to investigate anomalies in flood control projects.
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Dee noted that part of the call of civil society is to have erring high ranking officials put behind bars.
“Based on the exposé of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, many of those profits elicited from the anomalies went to the politicians and we want these politicians to be prosecuted for these anomalies,” Dee added.
He emphasized that while the civil society groups are focusing on corruption, the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte would not be forgotten.
“I am also involved in the impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte and I still believe it is also important, but our focus right now is corruption. We will go back (to the impeachment) but our focus right now is our call on Sept. 21, which is accountability for all,” he said.
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Dee said the ICI should ensure its independence so that the people will continue to trust institutions.
“It is important to ensure the independence of the ICI… I hope the commission will take its independence seriously and we hope that there will be consultation from the civil society to ensure there will be credible investigation with the help of civil society,” he said.
He assured the public that organizers are closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police to ensure a peaceful protest.
“We have been closely coordinating with the PNP. We will do everything in our power to ensure the security and ensure a peaceful protest,” he said.
He made it clear that politicians are welcome to join the rally but won’t be allowed to speak.
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“The formal program will start at 2 p.m. but we expect delegates to arrive in the morning, so as early as 7 a.m. we will be there at People Power Monument and we will have a program at 9 a.m.,” he said.
No political spectacle
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said today’s mass action is not a political spectacle, but a moral stand, as he urged everyone to join the Trillion Peso March today at the EDSA People Power Monument.
He said the Trillion Peso March is a moment of prayer, solidarity and action against the entrenched culture of corruption that “robs our people of dignity, deepens poverty and betrays our future.”
“We must resist opportunists who exploit our outrage for selfish gain, while reminding our leaders that accountability must be pursued through due process, within the bounds of our Constitution and the rule of law. Our purpose is not to destabilize, but to strengthen our democracy,” David said.
“We also welcome the presence of many honest and hardworking government employees and officials. Your participation testifies that not all in government are corrupt, and that reform is possible when conscience is alive,” David added.
He also urged the youth to use the digital space wisely and courageously.
“Young people, we entrust you with a special mission… You have in your hands a power no generation ever had: the digital space. Use it wisely and courageously – to document truth, expose wrongdoing and build communities of conscience. But remember: your strength is not in rage but in steadfast hope; not in violence, but in truth and solidarity,” he added.
David said that corruption is not just about stolen money. “It is about stolen futures, flooded homes, poisoned lands, wasted opportunities for our children.”
“We issue a serious appeal to our legislators, independent oversight bodies and prosecuting agencies: expedite the process of investigation and accountability. Ensure that government contracts are executed with transparency and integrity, devoid of graft and corruption,” David said.
He added that the people deserve concrete solutions – not empty rhetoric, not endless political grandstanding, not the usual delaying tactics.
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“Enough is enough. We will no longer accept that this investigation simply die a natural death, like so many before it that eventually ended in political accommodations and compromises and to those who have enriched themselves at the expense of the poor: we echo the call of Jesus to Zacchaeus… come down from your arrogance and greed. Choose conversion, make restitution and repair the damage you have caused. There can be no true peace without justice, and no justice without repentance,” David said as he called on the people to stand firm for truth, justice and renewal.
‘Unity walk’
In Hagonoy in Bulacan, residents and members of multi-sectoral groups waded in flooded streets after a mass at the National Shrine of St. Anne to dramatize their protest against anomalies in flood control projects in the municipality and in the entire province.
“As residents who bear the brunt of this crisis, we stand united to raise our voices and demand accountability,” Israel Saguinsin, co-organizer of Tindig Hagonoy, told The STAR.
He said the indignation rally started with a 6 a.m. mass officiated by Fr. Rodel Ponce, who also joined the “unity walk” along Hagonoy’s flooded streets.
After their “unity walk,” the residents shared their experiences of being in constantly flooded communities and aired solidarity messages.
Hagonoy Mayor Charo Mendoza also participated in the indignation rally.
As early as yesterday, members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) had been tying white ribbons around Rizal Park in preparation for today’s protest rally.
“We call on all Filipinos to join the Sept. 21 protest to hold the Marcos administration accountable and demand to prioritize education, health, housing and other urgent social needs in the 2026 national budget,” ACT vice chairman Jonathan Geronimo said.
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For his part, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) chairman Benjo Basas asked public school teachers to join today’s rally, to express their united stand against corruption and the fight for education reform, teachers’ welfare and the future of Filipino children.
“Teachers continue their work despite unsafe and inadequate conditions. The teachers’ participation in Sunday’s massive rally is more than a protest, but rather a statement of solidarity with the Filipino people and the youth,” he said. — Ramon Efren Lazaro
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