Key Takeaways
- Tens of thousands are expected to join nationwide protests across the Philippines on Sunday, September 21, 2025, to denounce widespread government corruption, particularly in flood control projects.
- Organizers, including church groups and civil society organizations, have dubbed the main demonstrations the "Trillion Peso March" and "Baha sa Luneta," highlighting allegations of billions of dollars lost to graft.
- The rallies coincide with the 53rd anniversary of martial law declared by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., adding a layer of historical significance to the calls for accountability.
- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has publicly expressed support for the protests, sharing the public's anger over corruption, while the Philippine National Police (PNP) is on "full alert" with 50,000 officers deployed to ensure peace and order.
Massive anti-corruption rallies are set to sweep across the Philippines on Sunday, September 21, 2025, as organizers mobilize tens of thousands to protest what they describe as widespread government corruption. The demonstrations, primarily focused on alleged anomalies in government-funded flood control projects, are expected to draw significant crowds in Manila and other major cities.
The protests, notably the "Trillion Peso March" and "Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon" (Flood at Luneta: Action Against Corruption), aim to highlight the substantial financial losses due to graft. Greenpeace estimates that approximately $17.6 billion was skimmed from climate-related projects in 2023 alone. Other reports suggest that over half of the ₱1.9 trillion (US$33 billion) spent on flood control programs over the past 15 years may have been lost to corruption. Some estimates place the total value of the alleged multi-billion scam at nearly $10 billion.
The timing of the protests is particularly symbolic, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. on September 21, 1972. This historical resonance adds weight to the public's demand for transparency and accountability, especially given the elder Marcos's regime was ultimately toppled by a people-power movement amidst widespread allegations of corruption.
Key protest sites in Metro Manila include Rizal Park (Luneta) and the People Power Monument along EDSA in Quezon City. Parallel demonstrations are also planned in various cities across the country, including Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Negros, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, and Bohol, with overseas Filipino communities also expected to hold solidarity actions.
In response to the anticipated large-scale gatherings, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed on "full alert" status, deploying over 50,000 police officers nationwide to ensure public safety and maintain peace and order. Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has urged organizers and participants to ensure the protests remain peaceful and orderly.
Interestingly, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son of the former dictator, has publicly supported the protests, stating that he shares the public's anger over corruption. He remarked that if he were not president, he "might be out in the streets with them," encouraging citizens to demand accountability while emphasizing the need for peaceful demonstrations. This wave of anti-corruption sentiment in the Philippines mirrors similar movements seen across the region, including recent protests in Nepal and Indonesia.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.