Manila: Twin anti-corruption protests set on September 21

Manila: Protesters of different persuasions have vowed to join together in a symbolic expression of mounting public wrath against government corruption.

The groups, including former or retired military officials, have condemned the plunder of public funds and non-existent flood defences.

Some have also made an urgent call to freeze the assets of the people and entities involved in multi-billion scam estimated to hit nearly $10 billion.

Two protests are set in Manila on September 21 (Sunday): One on EDSA (where the "bloodless revolution" took place in 1986) and another in Luneta, the execution and burial ground of the country's national hero, Jose Rizal.

On-going investigations have exposed the link between "insertions" by lawmakers in the national budget and web of corruption related to non-existent public works projects.

Also known as "dagdag-bawas" (add-subtract), the insertions are made to look untraceable within the 7,000-page annual budget, also known as the General Appropriation Act (GAA).

They're now collectively dubbed as the "mother of all scams".

Budget insertions are a little-understood process, made by a select group of congressmen and senators, in the south-east Asian nation.

And, despite the "Freedom of Information" law, those involved in the insertions are not mandated to be clearly identifiable.

Amid the probe, some of the suspected plunderers, including lawmakers (Senators/Congressmen, engineers, contractors and auditors) had recently been identified.

Cases had been filed against 20 government workers and give contractors.

But the lawmakers behind the insertions, and those who allegedly benefitted directly from the "tongpats" system (involving kickbacks and overpricing) of government projects, remain scott-free.

Amid calls for repentance, and "we're-all-guilty" admission made by a Filipino Senator, the public wants full-on cleansing.

The protest date (September 21) is also symbolic: it marks the 53rd anniversary of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr's declaration of Martial Law (military rule), a turbulent period marked by repression and abuse and economic degeneration.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, known as BBM, has expressed his own outrage at the scale of corruption, vowing that there will be no holy cows.

He has publicly supported the protests.

“Do you blame them for going out on the streets?” said Marcos at a press conference when asked about the public mobilising to protest against government anomalies, following similar movements in Indonesia and Nepal.

“If I weren’t president, I might be out in the streets with them,” he added. “Of course, they are enraged. They are angry. I’m angry. We should all be angry, because what is happening is not right,” said the president.

He appealed for peaceful protests.

At a press conference on Monday, convenor David San Juan of Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA) condemned the scandals surrounding flood control projects, urging accountability for those responsible.

He invited the public to join the 9am gathering at Luneta Park, describing it as "part-protest-part-picnic".

“Bring umbrellas, food, this is like a picnic, and at the same time our call for accountability,” he said, lamenting the tendency of politicians to glorify Filipino resilience as a cover for corruption.

San Juan also emphasised the movement’s demands: full accountability for corrupt politicians, full disclosure of statements of assets, liabilities, and interests, and the signing of bank secrecy waivers by all government officials.

Paperwork has already been filed with Manila’s local government for the protest, with expectations of cooperation and assurance of free expression.

Meanwhile, the Trillion People March, another coalition against graft, is hosting a 2 pm protest at the People Power Monument in Quezon City along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

Spokesperson Francis Aquino Dee expects over 15,000 protesters led by church leaders, advocacy groups, educational institutions, lawmakers, and former officials.

They have coordinated with local authorities to ensure security and logistics.

The Trillion People March highlighted the stark contrast between brazen corruption and Filipinos suffering from floods and diseases like leptospirosis caused by neglect.

Bishop Colin Bagafora encouraged attendees to wear white, symbolizing unity and hope.

When asked why two separate rallies are planned, Dee said the goal is convenience and accessibility, noting Metro Manila’s size and urging participants to attend whichever location suits them best, with organisers hopeful for a convergence at the People Power Monument.

Rep. Perci Cendaña of Akbayan Party-list described the rallies as a breaking point for public ire.

“The people’s anger is at boiling point… We hope that on September 21, we will show that our anger must be expressed properly, constructively, and in the end, we will defend our anger against corruption.”

Every year on September 21, various groups mark the anniversary with protests condemning martial law’s human rights abuses.

Data from Amnesty International records over 107,000 victims during that era, with thousands killed, arrested without warrants, and tortured—context that underscores the importance of this year’s rallies in demanding justice today.