On the 53rd anniversary of martial law, tens of thousands of Filipinos marched nationwide in a National Day of Protest, decrying what they described as massive corruption in government flood control projects worth billions of pesos.
The largest gatherings were staged at Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila, where chants of “Ikulong na ’yan, mga kurakot (Jail the corrupt)” filled the streets. Protesters carried effigies of crocodiles and pigs—symbols of greed—as well as a mock luxury car aimed at contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya IIand Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, who had flaunted their imported car collection before being linked to ghost and substandard projects.
By mid-afternoon, the crowds swelled and marched toward the People Power Monument in Quezon City for what organizers dubbed the “Trillion Peso March.” Protest leaders argued that corruption in infrastructure projects not only bleeds the nation dry but also costs lives, as poorly built or non-existent flood control systems leave communities vulnerable to typhoons and rising sea levels.
“Every peso stolen from these projects is a life put at risk in the next flood,” said Fr. Joey Aquino, a convenor of the People’s Vigil for Accountability. “This is not just about money—it’s about justice, safety, and dignity,” he added.
Violence at Mendiola
While most demonstrations were peaceful, violence erupted near the Mendiola Peace Arch as groups of masked individuals clashed with police. Stones, bottles, and sticks were hurled, injuring 129 police officers and 76 civilians, according to police reports. A trailer truck was set ablaze near Ayala Bridge, while a hotel along C.M. Recto Avenue sustained damage amid the chaos.
Authorities arrested several individuals who may face charges of direct assault, resistance to authority, and illegal assembly, said Maj. Philipp Ines of the Manila Police District.
Nationwide Protests
Outside Metro Manila, protests flared in cities and provinces across the country, including Davao, Baguio, Cebu, Bulacan, Bohol, Angeles in Pampanga, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Legazpi in Albay, Marawi in Lanao del Sur, and Olongapo. In these communities, demonstrators tied the flood control corruption scandal to everyday struggles — from worsening poverty and inadequate public services to the relentless rise in the cost of living.
A Renewed People Power?
For many who marched, the day symbolized both remembrance and resistance: a reminder of past abuses under martial law and a call to end present-day plunder. Organizers said the National Day of Protest showed that people power remains alive, ready to demand accountability from leaders who betray the public trust.
