Organizers of the September 21 protest are preparing a massive demonstration on November 30, Bonifacio Day, to demand accountability over alleged corruption in government flood control projects.
In a radio interview, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) president Renato Reyes said the September 21 protest was only the beginning, noting the November 30 demonstration is expected to be larger and more assertive.
“When we say everyone involved must be held accountable, that means from those at the top down to their subordinates,” he said.
In a Facebook post on Friday, November 7, the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot urged the public to gather at Luneta and demand accountability for those involved in corruption.
“From Luneta to various parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, let us demand that everyone involved in corruption be held accountable,” the post read.
Beyond demanding accountability for those implicated in the flood control corruption scandal, protesters will also push for a full investigation of the proposed 2026 national budget.
According to the BAYAN coalition, the November 30 rally is expected to gather around 100,000 attendees.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced on Friday the suspension of face-to-face classes in all public and private schools in the city on November 17 to 18 to give way to Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) rally in Luneta.
“I am ordering the suspension of face-to-face classes in all levels on November 17 and 18. All schools are advised to implement Alternative Delivery Mode or ADM,” he said.
Domagoso added the city government will provide perimeter support including traffic, parking, police, and medical assistance throughout the event to ensure order and public safety.
“While we know that the INC is very organized whenever it holds a rally, the City Government of Manila will deploy teams to monitor and provide assistance outside Rizal Park… We want to make sure the surroundings remain orderly even beyond the main rally grounds,” he said.
Fourteen ambulances will be stationed in key locations surrounding the area for medical emergencies.
Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David has called on individuals involved in corruption scandals, particularly those linked to the flood control mess, to take responsibility for their actions through three crucial steps: admission, repentance, and restitution.
He said that corruption is a “moral sin” that weakens communities, drains national resources, and keeps people dependent on short-term relief instead of long-term progress.
“The stolen money must be returned, and the corrupt system must be eliminated, as it feeds on public wealth and personal interest,” David said.
“When there is admission, repentance, and restitution, it becomes easier to achieve true forgiveness and reconciliation,” he added.
