Politicians and some celebrities joined the Trillion Peso March at the People Power Monument, expressing their support for the public’s clamor against rampant corruption in government, as demonstrated by anomalous flood control projects, which are said to have cost the public up to one trillion pesos.
During the rally, Senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan renewed calls to penalize officials involved in the flood control scandal and to recover public funds lost to corruption.
Aquino marched with students and members of Kaya Natin Youth as he urged the government to prosecute individuals accused of misusing taxpayer money.
“We have long said that those involved in stealing taxpayers’ money must be punished and the funds they took must be recovered,” he said during the rally.
“We stand with the call of the Church and the public that everyone involved in pocketing and abusing public funds must be held accountable and jailed,” Aquino added.
The lawmaker argued that systemic reforms are necessary to prevent abuses involving national resources.
He highlighted his Senate Bill 1506, the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability Act, which aims to strengthen transparency in state purchases.
The bill requires government agencies to upload and maintain budget-related documents on a Digital Budget Platform for public access.
It mandates the publication of contracts, project costs, bills of materials, and procurement records.
For his part, Pangilinan described the Trillion Peso March as a stand against what he described as entrenched corruption in government.
He called on the public to channel the spirit of the Katipunan as they demand accountability and confront abuses of public funds.
“Jail the thieves. As the homilies in recent weeks have said, every person has a duty and will be held accountable,” the senator concluded.
Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray called on senators to suspend their colleagues involved in a major corruption scandal involving flood control projects.
“We demand action,” said before a crowd of thousands gathered at the monument.
“To the Ombudsman, file the cases now. To the senators, suspend the senators implicated, and to the congress, pass the anti-political dynasty bill,” Gray added.
The beauty queen also said that the people “will not move on” until someone is held accountable for the massive corruption in flood control projects.
“They said that Filipinos have a short memory, that it’s easy for us to forgive and forget, but believe us when we say that we will not forget what you did, and no one will move on unless no one gets accountable,” Gray said.
“We are the generation that will not let corruption win,” she stressed.
Other personalities who attended the rally at the People Power Monument included Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who led the prayer during the program.
Filipino film director Joel Lamangan, former Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Satur Ocampo, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairperson Danilo Ramos, and labor leader Leody de Guzman were also seen at the event.
Likewise, student groups from various universities, including the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University, among others, also participated in the program.
The crowd chanted “Ikulong na iyan, mga kurakot” while waving placards calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a statement emailed to the media, the Akbayan Party dared President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to act decisively against corruption before Christmas 2026.
“Jail the country’s big-time plunderers, or seal your fate before 2028,” the group wrote.
“Mr. President, time is ticking. Catch the big fish or sink in political ruin before 2028. Your actions these coming days will determine your fate,” Akbayan President Rafaela David said.
As the protest action came to an end, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said that no untoward incidents were reported during the Trillion-Peso March in Metro Manila.
“It was very peaceful. It was the best outcome we could hope for,” he said.
In a radio interview, Remulla recognized the constitutional right of every Filipino to air grievances and participate in peaceful assemblies.
“I think people feel that something is happening. I think they feel that even if it is slow at first, I think they see the direction it is going. As long as the wheels of justice move, I think people will be satisfied with the outcome,” the secretary said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Politicians join rallyists in EDSA to reject corruption”
