LOOK: Various organizations hold protest at EDSA Shrine a year after Trillion Peso March
A year after thousands marched in protest against the alleged corruption in flood control projects, various organizations returned to the EDSA Shrine on Sept. 20 to continue their calls for accountability and good governance.
The protest was mobilized ahead of the 54th commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law on Sept. 21 as well as the first anniversary of the Trillion Peso March.
Akbayan Partylist, one of the groups leading the charge, said in a statement that "a thousand youth and students marched from La Salle Greenhills to the EDSA Shrine... demanding that the unfinished fight against corruption, impunity, and political dynasties be completed."
"Led by Akbayan Youth, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, Youth Against Kurakot, and student leaders from various schools, they marched under the banner, 'Never Forget: Hindi Mababahà ang Katotohanan,'" they said.
According to the students, the fight cannot end with investigations, hearings, or a handful of arrests, as all those responsible for corruption should be charged, arrested, and jailed.
"Hindi sapat ang ilang pag-aresto at pagsasampa ng kaso. Kailangang tapusin ang laban at panagutin ang lahat ng corrupt, bawiin ang bawat pisong ninakaw sa bayan, at wasakin ang sistemang nagpapayaman sa iilan habang pinapahirapan ang nakararami," said Khylla Meneses, Akbayan Youth National Chairperson and YAK Lead Convenor.
Among their calls were full investigations into the corruption allegations against multiple individuals. These include Sen. Loren Legarda and Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste over their multi-billion-peso solar projects, former Congressman Zaldy Co over alleged billions in budget insertions, and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque over alleged POGO links.
They also urged the government to arrest Sen. Bato Dela Rosa and make him answer for his alleged crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, as well as to probe Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for accusations involving anomalous and ghost projects in Taguig.
Another major demand was the passage of a "genuine anti-political dynasty law" and the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte in the Senate impeachment trial.
Among the prominent faces who joined the rally were Elijah Canlas, who could be seen holding up a poster that read, "Binabaha pa rin kami."
The flood control scandal first gained national attention in 2025 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed that 9,855 flood control projects worth P545.64 billion had been implemented from July 2022 to May 2025, but only on paper.
This has since prompted investigations in Congress and the filing of cases over alleged anomalies in several projects. It also inspired thousands of Filipinos to take a stand against corruption in huge rallies in November last year.
Several individuals have been arrested amid investigations, including contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, ex-senator Bong Revilla, former Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan, and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
