MANILA – On the eve of massive anti-corruption rallies, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed support for Filipinos planning to march on September 21, saying he respects their right to be heard—so long as it remains peaceful and within the law.
Thousands are expected to gather at Rizal Park and the EDSA People Power Monument, with simultaneous protests planned in several provinces. At the heart of the demonstrations: public outrage over alleged corruption in billion-peso government infrastructure projects, particularly flood control.
Marcos: “Naririnig at nararamdaman ng Pangulo”
In a statement, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President shares the frustration of the people.
“Naririnig at nararamdaman ng Pangulo ang pagkadismaya ng taumbayan at iyon ay kanyang nararamdaman rin,” Castro said.
(The President hears and feels the disappointment of the public, and he also feels the same.)
Marcos has ordered a probe into questionable flood projects and vowed that corrupt officials will be held accountable. But he also warned against groups using the protests for political gain.
“Nais din ng Pangulo na ang taumbayan ay makipagtulungan sa gobyerno… maging mapanuri at mapagmatyag dahil baka gamitin ang lehitimong layunin na ito ng mga tao na ang nais lamang ay manira ng gobyerno at iangat ang personal na interes nila,” Castro added.
CBCP: “Enough is enough!”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has thrown its full support behind what it calls the “Trillion Peso March”, set at 2 p.m. Sunday at EDSA.
CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David stressed the event is not political theater, but a moral stand.
“This gathering is not a political spectacle, but a moral stand. It is a moment of prayer, solidarity, and action against the entrenched culture of corruption that robs our people of dignity, deepens poverty, and betrays our future.”
He urged Filipinos to resist opportunists who might hijack the cause, while reminding leaders that accountability must always follow due process and the rule of law.
The CBCP also pressed lawmakers, oversight bodies, and prosecutors to act swiftly and decisively.
“Ensure that government contracts are executed with transparency and integrity, devoid of graft and corruption. Our people deserve concrete solutions—not empty rhetoric, not endless political grandstanding, not the usual delaying tactics.”
And in words that echoed the frustration of many Filipinos, Cardinal David declared:
“Enough is enough! We will no longer accept that this investigation simply die a natural death, like so many before it.”
A Nation at a Crossroads
As Sunday approaches, the streets of Metro Manila are bracing for tens of thousands of voices demanding change. For many, this protest is not just about flood projects—it is about drawing the line against corruption that has plagued generations.
Whether in the halls of power or in the streets of EDSA, one message is clear: the people want justice, transparency, and real accountability.
