ASEANEWS HEADLINE-COURTS & CRIME | MANILA, Philippines: Marcos urged to jail flood scam ‘big fish’
Rallyists wearing crocodile masks stage a protest in Manila on November 30, 2025./ EJ Macababbad
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Headstart: Kiko Aquino Dee on Trillion Peso March 2.0, more anti-corruption protests | ANC
.Karen Davila talks to Kiko Aquino Dee about how the second Trillion Peso March went, and future anti-corruption protests.
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MANILA, Philippines — On the second installment of the Trillion Peso March yesterday, protesters dared President Marcos to jail the “big fish” before Christmas or risk losing his political capital ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Around 4,000 people gathered at the EDSA people power monument in Quezon City yesterday, coinciding with the commemoration of Andres Bonifacio’s birth anniversary, braving heavy rain as they called for transparency and accountability amid the widening flood control scandal.
The “Trillion Peso March 2.0,” backed by 86 dioceses nationwide, drew lawmakers, church leaders, artists, civil society groups and thousands of ordinary Filipinos demanding swift action on alleged multibillion-peso irregularities in public works spending.
Akbayan president Rafaela David said the administration should move beyond statements and target major personalities linked to alleged plunder cases.
“Enough with press conferences and announcements. Enough with filing cases only against small offenders,” David said, adding that authorities should “charge, arrest and jail the big fish.”
If the administration failed to act within the coming weeks, David said Marcos “will have buried his own political future.”
Akbayan also urged Marcos to certify the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill as urgent, calling it a strong response to public anger over corruption and political monopoly.
In his remarks, co-convenor Kiko Aquino Dee laid out five calls to government: transparency, prosecuting those involved, recovering stolen funds, honoring the Constitution, and “putting the nation first” by fighting corruption and political dynasties.
The public should expect the arrest of high-profile personalities implicated in flood control corruption very soon, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.
“I think pretty soon the persons namedropped by (former public works undersecretary Roberto) Bernardo, those are the next ones to be indicted,” he told reporters in an interview.
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Fighting for clean gov’t
In the last Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing, Bernardo said some of the people who received commitments from projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways are Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Francis Escudero, former senator Ramon Revilla Jr., former senator and now Makati Mayor Nancy Binay, resigned Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan.
Meanwhile, people ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan who are currently abroad could be caught soon, Remulla said.
This is why fewer people have joined the Trillion Peso March rallies yesterday, Remulla noted, unlike the rallies last Sept. 21, which were marred by riots in Manila.
Remulla said there were zero reports of untoward incidents during yesterday’s rallies.
“It was very peaceful. It was the best outcome we could (have) hoped for,” he said.
Over 16,000 police were deployed in Metro Manila to secure rally sites.
Asked if he expects more rallies against corruption in the future, Remulla answered: “As long as the wheels of justice move, I think people will be satisfied with the outcome. We will see less.”
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Former senator Franklin Drilon told The STAR that the rally signaled the public’s anger. He urged the government to pursue cases “without settlements,” as this was the only way laws could be enforced.
“Do not get tired… Fight to clean up government,” Drilon said.
Other attendees included Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, who issued a sharp challenge to Marcos to clean up government, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan party-list Representatives Chel Diokno and Perci Cendaña, former presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo, actress Agot Isidro, Ballsy Aquino and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte
“I am outraged that money has been squandered… I am deeply aggrieved, I am profoundly saddened, that there are people without conscience who thought of wasting these funds – fully knowing that this money could change lives – just to profit and enrich themselves,” Belmonte said in Filipino.
Manila protests
Three people claiming to be freelance journalists were taken into custody by the police yesterday morning for wearing balaclavas, which is banned by the city government of Manila.
The Philippine National Police said the three were spotted by police officers at Plaza Salamanca along Kalaw Avenue at around 8:50 a.m. while wearing press-marked vests, Kevlar helmets and balaclavas. They were also seen carrying gas masks.
When police approached them, the trio ages 18, 20 and 23 presented press cards of KS21, or Kilusang Setyembre 21, a freelance media organization.
They were brought to a police station in Manila but were released later after the verification process. Police officers also reminded them of the new ordinance in Manila prohibiting the use of balaclava in public places.
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“We have no intention of curtailing press freedom, we just chose to exercise prudence as part of our security measures,” the PNP said.
Anti-corruption rallies planned by militant groups in Manila pushed through despite initial delays, which the organizers alleged was a sabotage by the police.
According to media reports, police officers blocked the truck that would be used as stage for the rally at Quirino Grandstand, and also confiscated props like drums.
In a statement, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) criticized the police assigned in Manila for “preventing” their preparations.
“Today’s protest is coordinated with both the Manila LGU and MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority). In fact, road closures have been publicly announced already by both agencies. Even MMDA portalets have arrived, which proves that the protest is planned beforehand in coordination with authorities,” Bayan said.
The rally, which Bayan called “Baha sa Luneta 2.0” as a follow-up to the Sept. 21 rallies, did not secure a permit from the National Parks Development Committee that manages Rizal Park, according to Manila Police District (MPD) spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines.
Holding a rally beyond “freedom parks” such as Rizal Park would violate Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985, he pointed out.
The rally pushed through, gathering around 3,000 people from various militant groups.
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Outside Metro Manila, simultaneous anti-corruption rallies were also held.
In Tacloban, progressive groups marched through heavy rain to protest governance failures; in Dumaguete, youth groups demanded transparency; in Cebu, multi-sectoral organizations urged that public funds be used for projects rather than personal gain; in Zambales, protesters lined highways asking motorists to honk in support; in Baguio City, teachers echoed calls for accountability; in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, about 800 protesters gathered to express their anger; and in Angeles City in Pampanga, around 2,000 people marched against corruption, led by the Kilusan Kontra Kurakot Pampanga. — Ghio Ong, EJ Macababbad, Rainier Allan Ronda, Christine Boton, Artemio Dumlao, Janvic Mateo
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