Marilyn Cahatol

Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan stage a protest outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Friday, September 5, 2025, as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) presents its proposed 2026 budget before the Committee on Appropriations. 

A scuffle ensued after protesters hurled paint bombs at a mock DPWH tarp to dramatize their call, denouncing what they described as anomalous and overpriced flood control projects, branding them as “ghost” infrastructure, and accusing the agency of complicity in widespread corruption that, they said, worsens flooding and displaces communities.

Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

FLOOD CONTROL PROBE

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Faith-based groups, civil society organizations and individuals are gearing up to speak out against the widespread corruption in government and demand justice and accountability at the People Power Monument. </p><p>Dubbed as the Trillion Peso March Against Corruption, the protest is set on Sept. 21, the commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law over five decades ago.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/13/palace-supports-sept-21-protests-vs-corruption-but-1646">Palace supports Sept. 21 protests vs corruption but…</a></div><p>Bishop Colin Bagaforo, one of the conveners, said findings show only 40% of project budgets are being used for implementation of flood control projects while the rest are allegedly distributed to legislators is a brazen attack on the nation’s coffers. </p><p>“This was carried out without any attempt from the alleged perpetrators to hide their obscene lifestyles while most Filipinos are left to fend for themselves as their homes are wrecked by floodwaters and their loved ones are struck by flood-borne diseases,” he said. </p><p>Some 55 civil society organizations, five political parties, over 130 youth organizations are among those who will scream “Sobra na! Tama na! Ikulong na!” (Too much! Enough! Jail them!)</p><p>“Bumubulwak na ang galit ng taumbayan. Ang galit na ito will take many forms. We hope that on September 21 we will show people na yung ating expression ng galit. Dapat mapayapa. Ang sigurado po tayo, babahain ang EDSA ng taumbayan na galit na,” said Akbayan Party-list Rep. Percy Cendaña. </p><p>Another group, TAMA NA, will also be organizing a protest in Luneta in Manila on the morning of Sept. 21. Its convener, David San Juan, said just like many Filipinos, the group is fed up of leaders using the public’s resilience to mask the hardships they face because of their abuse and corruption. </p><p>“Ibalik ang ninakaw na pera ng bayan! Bawiin ang mga luxury car, mamahaling relo, signature bags at designer clothes,” he said. </p><p>Like other groups, they also demand that the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) of all government officials be accessible to the public and that they sign waivers from the Bank Secrecy Law. </p><p>Moreover, they also call for the banning of contractors and suppliers involved in anomalous transactions and those linked to public officials. </p><p>“Buwagin ang &#x27;small group&#x27; sa Kongreso at ibukas sa publiko ang buong records ng mga budget hearing at bicameral conference committee.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/14/afp-on-red-alert-amid-anti-corruption-protests-1542">AFP on &#x27;red alert&#x27; amid protests against flood control corruption</a></div><p>From Luneta, TAMA NA will also be heading to the People Power Monument and join the Trillion Peso March Against Corruption on Sunday afternoon.</p><p>Organizers are focused on demanding accountability from those responsible in the misuse of public funds that caused government infrastructure to fail many Filipino families from the effects of extreme weather events. </p><p>“Kung walang makukulong, ang galit ng tao ay hindi mamamayapa. Kailangan makita at matutuhan na ngayon pag nagnakaw ka, makukulong ka,” said Teresita Deles of Simabhana at Komunidad Laban sa Katiwalian.</p><p>Aside from protests in Manila and Quezon City, there will also be rallies in Cebu, Negros, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro and Bohol.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/15/pnp-urges-rallyists-to-secure-permits-ahead-of-sept-21-protest-1614">PNP urges rallyists to secure permits ahead of Sept. 21 protest</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3dcLjCtwS0k?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Faith-based groups, civil society organizations and individuals are gearing up to speak out against the widespread corruption in government and demand justice and accountability at the People Power Monument.</p>

Faith-based groups, civil society organizations and individuals are gearing up to speak out against the widespread corruption in government and demand justice and accountability at the People Power Monument.

'Sobra na, tama na, ikulong na': Groups call on public to join Sept. 21 protest to voice anger over widespread corruption

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'Sobra na, tama na, ikulong na': Groups call on public to join Sept. 21 protest to voice anger over widespread corruption

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 15, 2025 04:58 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 15, 2025 08:12 PM PHT

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Flood control projects

protest

Trillion People March

corruption

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