Written By Isabel Daenah Y. Manzanero | September 22, 2025
Filipinos Flood the Streets in Anti-Corruption Rallies
“IKULONG na ‘yan mga kurakot!” is the continuous chant of students, journalists, workers, religious groups, and artists—almost 100,000 citizens of the Philippines all around the country. Sept. 21 no longer only commemorates the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law but also represents the thousands of Filipinos demanding political accountability.
From the Rizal Park in Luneta to the People Power Monument in EDSA, even in a server in Roblox imitating the rally in Luneta Park, people are bringing placards and raising their voices to end corruption, especially with the growing outrage on one the biggest corruption scandal in history, the flood control projects.
These flood-control projects, worth billions of pesos, are under investigation for anomalies and deep-seated corruption. Coupled with the revelations of the lavish lifestyles of various notable individuals connected to these projects, led to a major uproar from the citizens around the country.
The rally in Luneta, called “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon” in one press release and the “Bilyon People March” in social media, was organized by students and activists at 9:00 AM. But both acted in solidarity for the same cause.
“We are neither pro-Duterte nor pro-Marcos. We are the youth who care for the environment. And protecting it means holding officials accountable for plundering our nation’s resources,” Niña Fegi, a member of Panatang Luntian Coalition, one of the organizing groups of Baha sa Luneta, said in an interview with Rappler.
The rallies were separately arranged, with the one in EDSA organized by religious leaders and organizations, which began at 2:00 PM and was called the “Trillion Peso March.”
Kiko Aquino-Dee, co-convenor of Tindig Pilpinas, one of the organizers of the Trillion Peso March, expressed that he wanted to highlight the untold stories of the victims of corruption through these protests. “These are the people whose houses have been damaged by floods, people who had to wade through floods, maybe contract disease just to get to work, and people from different sectors who are slightly less direct victims of corruption but in need of social services that get diverted to anomalous projects,” he shared with ABS-CBN.
The title of the rallies is a reference highlighting the PHP 1.9 trillion that should have been allotted to flood control projects but has been spent by corrupt public officials.
However, the peaceful rally quickly turned dangerous with the reported deaths, injuries, and kidnappings of several individuals. An unidentified group of people in black shirts and masks, carrying the Philippine flag but who were not affiliated with the protesters, threw stones and other items, setting a container van on fire. In an attempt to contain the situation and prevent further violence, the police threw tear gas at them and used water cannons to deter the protesters.
Allegedly, gunshots were also heard around the University of Sto. Tomas, San Beda University, and Far Eastern University Manila.
According to an update from Rappler, 49 individuals, 36 adults and 13 minors, were detained due to “isolated incidents.” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla later claimed that the arrested individuals threw pillboxes and Molotov cocktails, glass bottles with flammable liquid, at police.
