𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐈𝐊𝐔𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐀 ’𝐘𝐀𝐍, 𝐌𝐆𝐀 𝐊𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐊𝐎𝐓!: 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚

Over 80,000 Filipinos joined the youth-led protest “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon Laban sa Korapsyon” at Rizal Park on September 21, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law. 

Protesters started to mass up along Kalaw Corner Taft Avenue in Manila. They were joined by students from universities, including the following:

• Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), 

• National University of the Philippines (NU), 

• University of the East (UE),

• Philippine Normal University (PNU),

• Adamson University (ADU),

• Arellano University (AU), 

• Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST), 

• Far Eastern University (FEU), 

• National Teachers College (NTC),

• University of Santo Tomas (UST),

• University of the Philippines (UP), and

• De La Salle University (DLSU).

Alongside them, more than 1,100 Iskolar ng Bayan from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) were present, according to PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral. 

Together, they marched to protest government corruption, persistent state university budget cuts, and local campus issues, such as flooding.

Organized by the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network with National Democratic Mass Organizations and student groups, the rally sought to raise awareness of corruption and demand accountability from politicians misusing taxpayers’ money.

"Hindi pwede na mga kontratista lang; hindi pwede na mga DPWH officials lang, senador, o kaya mga kongresista. Kapag sinabi nating panagutin lahat, dapat tumulo ito sa pagwasak sa kanilang lahat," said Atty. Luke Espiritu, president of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), during his speech.

Sparking the Uproar

The protests followed consecutive days of heavy rain and flooding across the Philippines, which drew public attention to alleged anomalies in government flood control programs starting from July: 

• “Mahiya naman kayo!”: After the president addressed the nation, probing started to roll on.

• Favored Contractors: 15 firms bagged ₱100B, with ties to senators, the president, and the vice-president.

• Ghost Works: Many of the 5,500 projects since 2022 were found substandard or nonexistent, worsening floods. 

• Leadership Shake-up: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief resigned, the Senate reshuffled, and an independent probe commission was formed. 

• Public Outcry: Protests, lifestyle checks, and congressional hearings intensified the demand for accountability.

Just days before the September 21 protests, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon acknowledged that funds lost to flood control anomalies could have reached the trillions.

Amid this backdrop, the “Trillion Peso March” earned its name, which drew 15,000 participants to the EDSA People Power Monument. Complementing the Luneta rally and marking Martial Law’s anniversary, protesters in white wore ribbons of unity as they voiced their outrage.

Among the speakers was Vice Ganda, the country’s top celebrity taxpayer of 2024, who declared: “Hindi pwede ‘yung mabait ka lang, mabuting asal ka. Hindi uubra sa kanila ang mabuting asal at mabait lang, kasi nga mga demonyo sila. Kaya tama ‘yan, sumigaw lahat ng galit, lahat ng galit na galit! Hindi matatapos ang galit bukas! Iparinig ang galit hanggang hindi makulong ang mga p***** i**** magnanakaw.”

Clashes at Mendiola

Meanwhile, the historic Mendiola bore the brunt of protesters’ rage and defiance, erupting into scenes of bloodshed and police brutality.

After the Luneta program, part of the crowd marched toward Mendiola. Before reaching it, young masked protesters, mostly clad in black, set fire to a container van at Ayala Bridge, which served as a barrier between them and the police.

Among the demonstrators was Rainier, a 19-year-old vendor, who told the press: “Kami lubog na lubog sa baha. Sila nasa mataas, paano naman kaming nasa baba? Kahit silipin nila kami 'te, hindi nila kami matatanaw kasi sobrang taas nila.”

Not long after, the masked protesters dressed in black, joined by the Luneta contingent, pushed toward the Mendiola Peace Arch. Around three in the afternoon, after the BAYAN led a short program, the attendees dispersed, but tensions soon flared again.

Despite the headlines quoting the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla declaring the protest a “zero-casualty rally,” claiming officers acted under “maximum tolerance,”:

• More than 200 were arrested, with reports of harassment and illegal arrest

• 65 of them were Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL)

• 95 cops were reportedly injured

• One dead from a stray bullet, allegedly from PNP SWAT gunfire

• Protesters suffered bruises, cuts, and abrasions

• Police reportedly retaliated with water cannons and fired warning shots

• Tear gas was also used, which even affected some staff members of The Communicator who were on site.

Among those unlawful arrests was the case of 5th-year PUP Engineering student-leader and campus photographer Gio Caballes, who was peacefully taking photographs of the chaos when he was apprehended by authorities. According to him, he heard a police official order the arrest of anyone wearing black just moments before he was detained. 

Caballes is currently held at MPD Baseco Police Station 13, facing multiple charges, including Tumults and Other Disturbances of Public Order, Direct Assault, and Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority, with bail set at ₱ 60,000.

Many, including minors unable to afford bail, remain in police custody.

Meanwhile, not a single politician linked to the flood control anomalies has been detained. Despite the massive protests, the scandal remains under investigation, with names being linked but no concrete accountability yet.

Article: Jannine Lagbawan and Rhada Amarila 

Graphics: Jan Mike Cabangin and Keren Hope De Leon