Prayers and protest: Massive 'Trillion Peso March' crowd turns up in white on EDSA
MANILA, Philippines (3rd update, 4:01 p.m.) — A massive crowd of thousands marched to the People Power Monument on Sunday, September 21, in a show of interfaith and multisectoral unity against the country’s biggest corruption scandal in decades.
The afternoon rally, dubbed the “Trillion Peso March,” coincided with the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law declared by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Organizers said the date was chosen deliberately, linking past abuses of power to present-day corruption.
Undeterred by rains, unaffiliated individuals and families joined Christian and Muslim church groups as well as youth organizations, labor unions, and progressive groups in Quezon City, spilling across White Plains Avenue.
Authorities were forced to declare road closures by 2 p.m. as demonstrators filled both sides of the historic EDSA landmark.
Outside Metro Manila, simultaneous protests were also held in a dozen cities nationwide seeking accountability over government abuses.
From prayer to protest chants
The program opened with performances from Ben&Ben, Noel Cabangon, Jamie Rivera, Bayang Barrios, and other artists, before giving way to interfaith prayers led by Christian and Muslim leaders. A white ribbon ceremony symbolized unity against corruption.
In the streets by mid-afternoon, chants of "Ikulong na ‘yan! Mga korakot!" (Jail the corrupt!) swept across the crowd, with motorists honking in solidarity as traffic slowed along White Plains Avenue. Despite intermittent rain, thousands stayed put.
“This is not just about politics. This is about dignity, accountability, and the lives lost to floods,” one rally leader told the crowd.
Protesters’ anger centered on revelations that billions of pesos in flood control funds were siphoned off over the last 15 years through kickbacks and ghost projects.
Bulacan has become the scandal’s focal point after allegations of a scheme involving local Department of Public Works and Highways officials and two senators. Contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya have admitted handing kickbacks to House lawmakers, while other contractors have been linked to unfinished or nonexistent projects.
While sparked by the flood-control mess, the protests widened to broader grievances. Demonstrators called for Vice President Sara Duterte to be held accountable for her office’s use of confidential funds, a longstanding controversy.
On stage, victims of flood-control anomalies shared testimonies under the segment “Sobra Na!”
READ: 'Trillion Peso March' schedule, performers set at People Power Monument
Celebrities turn into activists
The protest drew familiar faces from the entertainment industry, with comedian Vice Ganda and actress Anne Curtis among those spotted in the crowd. Participants said their presence underscored that corruption “affects everyone” and is not just a political issue.
Meanwhile, actresses Angel Aquino, Jodi Sta. Maria and Maris Racal also addressed the demonstrators earlier on Sunday. Actor Dingdong Dantes and broadcast personality Kim Atienza led a group of celebrity runners in the early hours wearing shirts statement shirts calling for an end to corruption.
Mounting outrage
The “Trillion Peso March” followed the morning’s “Baha sa Luneta” protest at Rizal Park in Manila, which was led largely by student groups.
The scandal has already claimed political casualties, including the resignation of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who himself said he supports the demonstrations, which he wished he could join.
The Department of Finance estimates the economy lost up to P118.5 billion ($2 billion) from 2023 to 2025 because of corruption in flood-control projects. Environmental groups like Greenpeace place the figure much higher.
Protest leaders vowed to sustain street actions until accountability measures are enforced.
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