Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Akbayan Youth handout photo

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A broad coalition of students and young Filipinos marched from the University of the Philippines Diliman to Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, July 22, as part of the National Youth SONA Action Day.Led by Akbayan Youth, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, Youth Against Kurakot, and various Sangguniang Kabataan councils, the protesters called for an end to what they described as the Marcos-Duterte political dynasties.The youth groups held the action under the banner, “End the Marcos-Duterte Dynasties! We Want Our Future Back!”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/27/anti-political-dynasty-law-won-t-be-enough-analyst-says-1656">Anti-political dynasty law won&#x27;t be enough, analyst says</a></div>The mobilization brought together students and youth leaders from universities, colleges and secondary schools nationwide to highlight issues they said affect Filipino youth, including the education crisis, unemployment and insecure work, school violence, mental health concerns and the shrinking of democratic spaces.Among the participating schools and organizations were the University of the Philippines Diliman and UP Baguio, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila, Universidad de Manila, Bulacan State University, Adamson University, National Teachers College, Cavite State University, the University of Caloocan City, Pamantasang Lungsod ng Marikina, Philippine Normal University, Manuel Roxas High School, Batasan National High School, the National Federation of Supreme Secondary Learner Government, and various Sangguniang Kabataan councils.The action opened with a “Mass for Truth and Accountability” at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman celebrated by Fr. Robert Reyes, who was joined by Fr. Flavie Villanueva.Akbayan Reps. Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, as well as economist and activist Cielo Magno, also joined the gathering.The students later marched from UP Diliman down Katipunan Avenue, where they held a torch-and-candlelight human chain in front of Ateneo de Manila University, before they concluded around 6 p.m.The organizers said the activity symbolized the youth’s commitment to a brighter future.

A broad coalition of students and young Filipinos marched from the University of the Philippines Diliman to Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, July 22, as part of the National Youth SONA Action Day.

A broad coalition of students and young Filipinos marched from the University of the Philippines Diliman to Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, July 22, as part of the National Youth SONA Action Day.

Youth groups march from UP Diliman to Ateneo, demand end to Marcos and Duterte dynasties

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Youth groups march from UP Diliman to Ateneo, demand end to Marcos and Duterte dynasties

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 22, 2026 10:17 PM PHT

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