ASEANEWS HEADLINE-CORRUPTION | MANILA: Trillion Peso March: Punish the corrupt
Stop Corruption: Thousands join the ‘Trillion Peso March’ from the EDSA Shrine to the People Power Monument in Quezon City yesterday to denounce corruption in the government./ Miguel De Guzman
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Over 100 arrested as protests turn to riots in Manila | ANC
ANC Live: This is ABS-CBN News’ Special Coverage on the nationwide “Laban sa Katiwalian” (Fight Against Corruption) protests on the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on September 21.
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Wikipedia • Martial law in the Philippines refers to several intermittent periods in Philippine history wherein the Philippine head of state places an area under the control of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its predecessor bodies.. Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_law_in_the_Philippines
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Participants in the “Trillion Peso March” demanded accountability and punishment, including imprisonment and even the death penalty, for those in both the government and the private sector who are believed to have pocketed trillions in public funds meant for flood control and other infrastructure projects.
They also pushed for systemic reforms to eradicate the culture of corruption.
In the morning, protesters gathered in Rizal Park in Manila for the “Baha sa Luneta” rally, with some groups proceeding to Mendiola afterwards. In the afternoon, people filled the northbound lane of EDSA in Quezon City, from the EDSA Shrine up to the People Power Monument.
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While rally organizers did not formally call for President Marcos’ resignation, Reyes said such demands would not be surprising.
“If people call for that, we can’t stop them. What we want to avoid is for this to be used for political interests. This is not pro-Duterte or pro-Marcos – anyone involved in corruption, regardless of affiliation, should be criticized,” he said.
The controversy centers on so-called ghost infrastructure projects that watchdogs say siphoned off at least P118.5 billion ($2 billion) between 2023 and 2025. Environmental groups warn the real loss could be closer to $18 billion. President Marcos himself acknowledged the scandal in his July State of the Nation Address, after weeks of deadly floods highlighted the absence of working flood defenses.
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Labor leader Leody de Guzman said Filipinos want accountability.
“The people believe all those involved in corruption — whether Marcos, Duterte, DPWH officials or contractors — must be jailed. Corruption has become a system. It’s not enough to imprison individuals, we must uproot the system itself: political dynasties,” he said.
Other labor groups who joined the rallies, such as Partido ng Manggagawa and Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa urged for the passage of an anti-political dynasty law, reforms in the party-list system, and genuine labor representation in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, for her part, said the rally highlights not only the need to remember martial law abuses but also growing outrage over corruption.
“This is the right process — a peaceful rally to express anger and demand action. Anything less than prosecuting and jailing the corrupt will not satisfy the people,” she said.
In Rizal Park, organizers claimed 80,000 attended, but police estimated the crowd at about 5,000 based on drone footage and the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office monitoring.
In a related development, the Philippine Coast Guard denied speculations that their personnel tried to block protesters from going to Luneta, saying they were only augmenting police personnel in maintaining peace and order.
Meanwhile, over 15,000 people joined the “Trillion Peso March” at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City attended by members of various progressive and sectoral groups, celebrities and politicians known for advocacy against corruption.
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, in a video message posted on Facebook, said he is one with the public in denouncing corruption in government.
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“People are mad about corruption, we are also fed up with the deception,” he said in Filipino.
The Quezon City Police District said the rally was peaceful except for a commotion at Gate 4 of Camp Aguinaldo wherein demonstrators crossed paths with some supporters of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The northbound lane of EDSA was shut down yesterday after thousands of protesters marched from the EDSA Shrine to the People Power Monument.
Progressive groups led the rally to denounce alleged corruption in flood control projects.
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Despite heavy rains, demonstrators pressed on, occupying not only the northbound lanes but also the EDSA busway, forcing motorists to reroute.
By 2:30 p.m., traffic had ground to a standstill from EDSA Shrine to Camp Aguinaldo.
Police closed the affected stretch to prevent further congestion as vehicles were diverted to alternate routes.
Among those present in the Trillion Peso March were Senators Francis Pangilinan, Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros. Mayor Joy Belmonte, who also initiated a crackdown on substandard and ghost flood control projects in Quezon City, was also in attendance.
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Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, meanwhile was booed as he walked along White Plains Avenue while being escorted by police officers.
On Saturday night, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines designated the airspace over Rizal Park and EDSA Shrine as temporary restricted areas, from 6 a.m. on Sept. 21 until 6 a.m. the next day.
Breaking point
Beneath the chants and banners, quieter testimonies of how corruption drains ordinary lives manifested yesterday.
Marivic de Jesus, of the non-governmental organization Kiwanis International Metro-Tagaytay-Kalinga chapter, said her group raises its own funds to educate children.
“We don’t ask the government for help,” she said. “So when we see billions wasted, it hurts. We are taxpayers too. It’s hard not to be affected when money that could have gone to children is stolen. All we can do is shout for justice and pray that leaders listen.”
Sr. Leonila Francisco of the Congregation of St. John the Baptist, who has marched since the martial law years, said the cycle of plunder has persisted for decades.
“Fifty-three years ago, we raised the same cry,” she stressed. “Our country is beautiful and rich in resources, but if leaders only think of themselves, nothing will happen. Infrastructure may change, but the system does not. That is why we pray for conscience in government.”
For lawyer Janina Arriola of the Zero VAWC Alliance, accountability is urgent. She marked her 55th birthday at the protest, joined by her mother and aunt, both in their 80s, as well as her child and sister.
“Even if the people demand justice every day, it will be useless if no one is held accountable… the stolen funds should go to programs that truly protect women and children – the very sectors government often neglects,” she said.
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the Church can become the sanctuary of truth-tellers.
“Many have fallen into the cliff of corruption, but they can still repent,” David said.
Caritas Philippines president and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, for his part, reminded the youth of their 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 said in a CBCP statement.
Meanwhile, Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. warned about injustices against the poor: “Every time a child suffers in hunger, a worker gets exploited and a family lives in poverty due to corruption, it’s Christ that you oppress,” he stressed.
Analysts say the turnout reflected not only fury over the flood-control scandal but also a deeper disillusionment with decades of unpunished corruption. For many, the protests were less about one anomaly and more about a history of squandered resources that could have built classrooms, hospitals, and genuine flood defenses.
The protesters’ message was stark: public trust has been eroded too many times, and unless accountability is enforced, corruption will continue to drown the country’s future.
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In front of the Camp Aguinaldo gate along EDSA, members of the United People’s Initiative called for the resignation of President Marcos because of his failure to address corruption under his watch.
Retired colonel Segundo Metran Jr. scored the President for acting as if he didn’t know about the systemic issues growing beneath him.
“We’re not stupid,” an angry Metran said. “It would have been fine to just steal money, but to make all Filipinos look like fools, I couldn’t stomach that.”
Speeches were interrupted by honking vehicles expressing solidarity with the demonstrators, with some passengers opening their windows to raise their fists.
Some protesters held signs saying, “Sara Lead! Marcos Step Down!” calling for Vice President Sara Duterte to take charge.
But along White Plains Avenue, where the Trillion Peso March took place, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said neither of the country’s top two leaders is safe from the public’s wrath.
“History will now render its verdict on the Dutertes for killing and stealing from the people,” the lawmaker said during the pre-program.
“And President Marcos, don’t think you’re safe. If no one gets jailed, that anger will be directed at you,” he added.
In front of the EDSA Shrine, protesters clashed with pro-Duterte individuals who attempted to hang their political banners at the footbridge.
Regional protests
In Malolos City in Bulacan, about 1,000 protesters, including students held an indignation rally at the provincial capitol.
Central Luzon police said it deployed over 500 personnel in Metro Manila for the massive rallies in Rizal Park and EDSA.
In Baguio City, Ibaloi activist Joanna Cariño, detained and tortured during martial law, saw this year’s commemoration of the declaration of martial law as “the largest and most diverse gathering in recent years” in the City of Pines.
About 5,000 demonstrators gathered at the People’s Park yesterday, composed of students, workers, indigenous groups, environmentalists, women’s rights advocates and families of martial law victims.
In Cagayan de Oro City, around 1,000 people from various civic and religious organizations converged at the capitol grounds following a mass at the San Agustin Cathedral.
In Negros, about 2,500 converged at the Bacolod City Public Plaza and around 200 gathered in Dumaguete City’s boulevard in simultaneous protests.
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In Calabarzon, police said no untoward incidents were recorded in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon yesterday.
Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Calabarzon police director, said more than 3,000 police personnel have been deployed throughout the region, especially in convergence areas where groups from various sectors are expected to come together to participate in the protest. — Emmanuel Tupas, EJ Macababbad, Mayen Jaymalin, Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos, Ramon Lazaro, Artemio Dumlao, Gerry Gorit, Gilbert Bayoran, Ric Sapnu, Ed Amoroso.
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