CELEBRITIES from film, television, and music showed their support on Sunday, Sept. 21, as mass rallies in Metro Manila demanded accountability over alleged corruption in government flood control projects.
Ahead of the demonstrations, P-pop group SB19 posted a 34-second clip on X showing themselves singing along with “Kapangyarihan,” their 2021 collaboration with Ben&Ben, with the text, “nagsisilbi ka dapat.”
“Ang tao, ang bayan, ang tunay na kapangyarihan,” the post read.
Member Josh Cullen also shared a separate clip of him and the group’s leader, Pablo, singing the track, echoing the song’s message of people power and public service.
Paulo Avelino voiced his support on his Instagram Stories, saying that while he could not attend, he was backing the calls for accountability.
“Hindi man ako makakadalo sa rally laban sa korupsyon, buo ang suporta ko sa panawagan para sa pananagutan at malinis na pamamahala. Managot na dapat ang mga dapat managot. Makulong na ang lahat ng dapat makulong,” Paulo wrote.
Actress Janine Gutierrez also said she was “standing in solidarity with everyone in Luneta, EDSA, and other rallies against corruption.”
Angel Locsin, currently on hiatus from showbiz, also voiced her support on X.
“Ang sa amin, galing sa hirap–ang sa inyo galing sa mahihirap,” she said.
Meanwhile, award-winning actor Elijah Canlas joined protesters at the EDSA People Power Monument, where he delivered a speech calling for accountability.
“Lahat ng kasangkot dapat managot. Niloloko lang nila tayo, mga sinungaling sila, ang gagaling pa umarte mga best actor, hindi po ba? Kung ibalik n’yo na lang kaya ang pera ng taong bayan?” he said, adding that it was inspiring to see both the youth and elderly in the crowd.
Kapamilya stars Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Ion Perez, Jackie Gonzaga, Donny Pangilinan, Darren Espanto, and Jasmine Curtis were also present at the EDSA rally.
In a post shared by Angat Buhay, the stars took time to join the Angat Bayanihan Volunteer Network for the “Trillion Peso March.”
At the simultaneous “Baha sa Luneta” protest in Rizal Park, director Joel Lamangan joined demonstrators and stressed vigilance against corruption.
Seasoned actress Angel Aquino spoke onstage, recalling her activism since her student days.
“Parang mas malala pa ang nangyayari, mas in our face nila ginagawa ang pagnanakaw nila,” she said.
“Ang daming nagugutom, ang daming walang bahay, ang daming nagkakasakit. Tapos ang daming nawawala na pera. Nakakaiyak,” Aquino stated in a separate interview at the venue.
Actresses Maris Racal and Jodi Sta. Maria were also present at the Luneta protest, with the Sunshine star leading the chant against corruption.
Earlier in the day, television host Kim Atienza joined actors Dingdong Dantes and Benjamin Alves in a 10-kilometer anti-corruption run at the Ayala Car-Free Sunday event. They wore shirts with slogans like “End Corruption Now” and “I Dream of a Corrupt-Free Philippines.”
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Nakikiisa sa bansa para sa pagbabagong totoo,” Kuya Kim said in the caption.
“We hoped. We dreamed. For a corrupt-free Philippines. For accountability from those who have stolen from us. And for those attending the big rallies, we lifted them up in prayer as well,” he said in a separate post.
Organizers said the protests in EDSA and Luneta drew thousands, underscoring growing public pressure on officials to answer allegations in the flood control projects.
