House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Monday condemned the violence that erupted at the height of anti-corruption protests in Mendiola, Manila on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
“This is not what we aimed for in going to the various rallies yesterday against corruption and the plunder of government infrastructure projects. This is not how we deal with disgust at people who steal billions while millions go hungry,” said De Lima.
The human rights lawyer and veteran legislator said instead of the supposed unity and united call against corruption some groups have opted to instigate the violence. “I cannot get myself to condemn the groups that instigated the violence, only their violent methods,” she said.
“The crowd at Mendiola appears to have largely consisted of urban poor youth organized in social media interest groups. They came to protest with us. Whether we like it or not, they are also fed up with the corruption,” De Lima added.
Sunday’s rallies in Manila, Quezon City, and other areas outside the National Capital Region were organized to express collective outrage over allegations of corruption between former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), politicians, and private contractors.
“More than us, they literally are that sector of the population from whom food that is to be fed to their families is snatched from their mouths by the likes of Sarah and Curlee Discaya, former DPWH Engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, and corrupt lawmakers and public officials,” De Lima said.
The lawmaker also commended the police force for exercising maximum tolerance at all costs.
“I commiserate with the Manila policemen who became victims of their violence for simply doing their job. I am impressed by their patience and display of maximum tolerance. You did not deserve to be at the receiving end of the violence,” De Lima said.
“I would like to appeal to the Manila Police District not to compound the violence that transpired yesterday with another kind of violence, the violence of the State,” she added.
