Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Students and youth groups walk out of classes as part of the Black Friday protest at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Friday, September 12, 2025, to denounce alleged corruption in government projects. Protesters also demanded a higher education budget amid massive cuts and stalled infrastructure under the Marcos Jr. administration. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ANTI CORRUTPION PROTEST02

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175824714904320250912-up-anti-corruption-walkout-MT36.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Students and youth groups walk out of classes as part of the Black Friday protest at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Friday, September 12, 2025, to denounce alleged corruption in government projects. Protesters also demanded a higher education budget amid massive cuts and stalled infrastructure under the Marcos Jr. administration. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Tindig Pilipinas, the organizing group of the Sept. 21 protest, is expecting 30,000 individuals to participate in the demonstration at the People Power Monument.</p><p>Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino-Dee, on ANC’s Headstart, said the group has coordinated with the Philippine National Police and other government agencies to ensure the protest  will be a peaceful and meaningful experience, anticipating that a big portion of the attendees are first-time rally goers.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/15/groups-call-on-public-to-join-sept-21-protest-to-voice-anger-over-corruption-1658">&#x27;Sobra na, tama na, ikulong na&#x27;: Groups call on public to join Sept. 21 protest to voice anger over widespread corruption</a></div><p>“We’re really taking seriously the idea that it will be the first time that a lot of people will engage in protest this Sunday and we want to make sure that while it’s a venue to express anger, it’s also a place to do it peacefully, safely and it’s a meaningful experience for everyone who will be attending,” he said.</p><p>The Trillion Peso March is set 2 p.m. on Sept. 21, Sunday, the 53rd anniversary of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.’s declaration of martial law.</p><div><a 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><p>“Our PNP, as a policy, need to keep some distance away from the rally goers. Unless there is any gulo among the protesters, then they will keep that distance and they will not disperse the rally. That’s a solid agreement,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/16/afp-sept-21-red-alert-status-about-readiness-not-deployment-1849">AFP: Sept. 21 ‘red alert’ status about readiness, not deployment</a></div><p>Aquino-Dee noted that, with the church’s leadership, the demonstration will not support violence or “any kind of regime change through extra-constitutional means.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>PROTEST TO HIGHLIGHT CORRUPTION VICTIMS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Since the anomalies in the flood control projects include politicians, the program will not give any politicians a time to speak, but will instead highlight the narratives of individuals affected by the corruption in flood control.</p><p>“We really want to highlight the narratives of people who we don’t really hear from, particularly people who were victimized by the recent corruption scandals, the flood control issue. 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 said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/17/some-jeepneys-to-give-free-rides-during-september-21-protests-1809">Some jeepneys to give free rides during September 21 protests</a></div><p>The protest will also hear statements from former government officials with knowledge of the corrupt practices, including former Department of Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno, former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza, and former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.</p><p>Local band Ben&amp;Ben is also set to perform. Other celebrities, Aquino-Dee said, will also participate unannounced to the public. </p><div> </div><div><strong>PROTEST NOT TO SUPPORT ANY POLITICIANS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Aquino-Dee said protesters are free to criticize any politicians, regardless of names and alliances, but favoring one will not be welcomed.</p><p>“Wala kaming sasantuhin na pulitiko. That’s part of the reason why we don’t want any politicians on stage so as not to be perceived as favoring one particular faction or the other,” he said.</p><p>“If you want to criticize any politician, Marcos, Duterte, Robredo, Aquino or whatever, you can. But the moment you say, ‘this person should beat the one,’ or ‘we are supporting this person or we are die hard for x or y,’ that’s something that our martials have been informed that we intently say ‘match the vibe of the protest,’” he added.</p><div><a 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>Aquino-Dee noted, “We’re trying to express our anger here towards really a failure of all past government and all branches of government.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/13/marcos-backs-anti-corruption-sentiments-malaca-ang-1602">Marcos backs anti-corruption sentiments: Malacañang</a></div><p>Meanwhile, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) on Friday said it “strongly supports the protest planned for Sunday, September 21.&quot;</p><p>“Figures indicate that 60 percent of project budgets have been stolen, and it is impossible that Malacañang itself has not taken a share,” said ICHRP Chairperson, Peter Murphy.</p><p>“September 21 marks the 53rd anniversary of the Martial Law declaration of President Marcos Sr... This connection between authoritarian rule and grand theft of public funds should spur the people to demand a massive cleanout of contractors and politicians involved,&quot; he added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>BRING YOUR UMBRELLAS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Aquino-Dee, the co-convenor, said the protest will proceed rain or shine, reminding rally-goers to bring their own umbrellas, jackets and other necessities.</p><p>“Be ready for whatever. We have to be prepared for every contingency.”</p><p>He said the organizers have also prepared in case the rain pours during the programs, including a water-resistant sound system.</p><p>An ambulance will also be on standby to administer first-aid in case an accident or injury occurs among protesters.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/9/19/nando-slightly-intensifies-will-stir-monsoon-rains-sunday-0638">Nando slightly intensifies, will stir monsoon rains Sunday</a></div><p>“There is a significant level of personal responsibility here. If you are particularly sensitive to extreme weather conditions, if you are rather old and vulnerable, or you are rather young and vulnerable, we would suggest that you… We are setting up a livestream, you can participate online. But if you are able, we are very much looking forward to seeing you on the 21st,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><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/1D81dUSQr8o?&amp;t=56s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/lIxnbhQJIRw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div>

<p>Kiko Aquino-Dee said the protest will proceed rain or shine, reminding rally-goers to bring their own umbrellas, jackets and other necessities. “Be ready for whatever. We have to be prepared for every contingency.”</p>

Kiko Aquino-Dee said the protest will proceed rain or shine, reminding rally-goers to bring their own umbrellas, jackets and other necessities. “Be ready for whatever. We have to be prepared for every contingency.”

30,000 expected to join 'Trillion Peso March' on Sunday: organizer

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30,000 expected to join 'Trillion Peso March' on Sunday: organizer

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 19, 2025 10:09 AM PHT

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Updated September 19, 2025 03:51 PM PHT

Read More:

Sept. 21

Trillion Peso March

Kiko Aquino-Dee

Flood control

protest

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