Thousands of Filipinos called for accountability over anomalous flood-control projects. The day began with a Mass at the EDSA Shrine led by Fr. Jerome Secillano, followed by a march to the People Power Monument for the “Trillion Peso March” — a strong, unified stand against corruption. (Photo Credit : Senator Bam Aquino’s Facebook page)
Tens of thousands joined nationwide rallies in the Philippines, demanding accountability in a ₱545B flood-control scandal that forced changes in Senate and House leadership.
MANILA — On September 21, 2025, Filipinos across the country filled streets, plazas, and churches in one of the largest anti-corruption demonstrations in recent years.
The date carried deep symbolism. Martial law was declared by Ferdinand Marcos Sr. on September 21, 1972. Fifty-three years later, under his son’s presidency, citizens chose that day to demand accountability over a flood-control scandal worth hundreds of billions of pesos.
The weight of history and the flood of anger
Reuters reported that 9,855 flood-control projects valued at about ₱545 billion (US$9.5 billion) are under scrutiny for alleged anomalies. Projects flagged by auditors include unfinished or non-existent works and substandard construction.
At Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila, thousands carried placards and prayed for reform. At the EDSA People Power Monument, protesters raised banners declaring “Jail all plunderers”. Demonstrations extended nationwide to Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, and Pangasinan, where Archbishop Socrates Villegas led a candlelight vigil.
The same date once associated with authoritarian rule was reclaimed as a day of civic assertion.
A chorus of voices
From students to workers to clergy, the rallies carried a unified message: corruption is not an abstract issue but a daily wound on society.
Youth groups voiced anger that funds meant for schools, scholarships, and jobs have been lost to ghost projects and overpriced contracts. At rallies in Manila and Baguio, student leaders declared that their generation will inherit both the debts and the consequences of corruption if accountability is not enforced.
Labor unions and transport groups, including Manibela and PISTON, underscored how anomalies in public works drain resources that could have improved roads and raised wages. Drivers parked jeepneys bearing slogans such as “Pamasahe tumataas, sahod hindi” (fares rise, wages do not) and “Kalsada, hindi bulsa” (roads, not pockets). Their leaders insisted that stolen billions translate into potholes, unsafe streets, and hungry families.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), led by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, called participation in the protests a moral duty. He stressed that peaceful marches should not be seen as destabilization but as a way to strengthen democracy. Priests and nuns walked alongside parishioners, holding crosses and candles, evoking the church’s historic role during the People Power movement. In pastoral guidance, bishops reminded the faithful that speaking against injustice is part of their responsibility to seek the common good.
Together, these voices emphasized that the rallies were not against one leader alone but against a culture of impunity. They demanded systemic reforms to ensure that public service benefits the people it is meant to serve.
Violence on the fringes
Although overwhelmingly peaceful, a clash broke out near Malacañang Palace. According to news wire reports, masked individuals set fire to tires on Ayala Bridge and threw rocks at riot police. Officers dispersed them and arrested 17 people.
Police and organizers both emphasized that the incident was separate from the larger peaceful demonstrations at Luneta and EDSA.
Subsequent reports noted that dozens more were arrested nationwide during protest-related scuffles, and more than 90 police officers and over 100 demonstrators were reported injured in scattered confrontations.
Government reaction
In remarks before the protests, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged public anger. “Do you blame them? If I weren’t president, I might be out there with them,” he told reporters.
On protest day, Malacañang said the administration welcomed peaceful demonstrations but cautioned against violence or vandalism. Undersecretary Claire Castro told the media that citizens were free to express grievances but should “protest within the rule of law”.
Earlier in the month, political fallout had already reshaped congressional leadership. On September 8, Senate President Francis Escudero was ousted in a leadership vote and replaced by Tito Sotto, after senators cited a loss of confidence amid the widening scandal.
On September 11, Marcos signed Executive Order No. 94 creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). By September 15, he formally named retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as chair, with other members sworn in the same day. The Palace also announced tighter rules at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), requiring stricter project verification before payments.
Finally, on September 17, House Speaker Martin Romualdez resigned, saying his departure would allow the ICI to operate “freely and fully without interference.” He was succeeded by Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.
Leadership shake-up at DPWH
The scandal also triggered changes in the Cabinet. Public Works Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan resignedfollowing mounting criticism and calls for accountability.
He was replaced by Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, who had earlier served as Secretary of Transportation under Marcos Jr. from February to September 2025. Dizon is also known as a close infrastructure aide under previous administrations, with experience spanning flagship programs, pandemic response, and large-scale development projects.
New revelations from the probe
At a Senate Blue Ribbon hearing, contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya testified that at least 17 House lawmakers and several DPWH officials demanded kickbacks of up to 25 percent on flood-control contracts . The Discayas offered to testify as state witnesses.
The Commission on Audit (COA) identified non-existent and overpriced projects in Bulacan and forwarded reports to the Ombudsman. Companies such as St. Timothy Construction Corporation and Syms Construction were among those flagged.
Two senators, Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, were also named in testimony. Both denied the allegations, calling them baseless.
Public voices and official responses
Prominent media anchors such as Jessica Soho (GMA News) and Karen Davila (ABS-CBN/ANC) devoted airtime to explaining the flood-control anomalies, framing the protests as an exercise of democracy rather than a threat to order. Radio commentators in Manila and Cebu echoed this view, contrasting the peaceful marches at Luneta and EDSA with the isolated violence near Malacañang.
From government, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.rejected calls for military intervention, stressing that the armed forces “remain loyal to the Constitution”.
Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the administration respected the right to peaceful protest but warned against “lawless actions.” Senators Estrada and Villanuev
Together, these voices underscored how the protests reverberated beyond the streets — shaping debates on television, in Congress, and at the highest levels of government.
The world watches
The United States, France, and Australia issued advisories urging citizens to avoid protest areas but reaffirmed the right to peaceful assembly. International media highlighted the symbolism of holding mass rallies on the anniversary of martial law, describing the protests as a watershed moment for Philippine democracy.
Beyond Sept. 21: the challenge ahead
The protests were not only about contracts and kickbacks. They reflected a demand that public service truly serve the public. They showed that Filipinos across regions, generations, and faiths can unite against corruption.
Whether the government delivers genuine accountability will determine how history remembers this moment. For now, the voices from Luneta to Mindanao remind the nation that the fight against corruption is inseparable from the fight for dignity, justice, and the future of Philippine democracy.
