On the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, around tens of thousands of people gathered at Rizal Park or Luneta Park in Manila for the Baha sa Luneta rally in protest of government corruption and the flood control anomalies.
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office estimated that as of 10:45 a.m., 49,000 people flocked to the park to join the massive protest on Sunday, September 21, which was attended by several political and civil society groups and people of all ages. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, one of the rally’s organizers, estimated that 100,000 people joined the protests.
At around 8 a.m., I was dropped off near the National Museum of Fine Arts, where I followed other protesters in black to the ACT Teachers delegation lined up at Taft. From there, the groups marched through Kalaw Avenue to Ma. Orosa Street, where I stopped to wait for a friend. We then followed the march on its way to Padre Burgos, before all the attendees gathered at Roxas Boulevard.
During the march, political organizations, labor unions, student activists, advocacy groups, and church groups all called for an end to corruption in the government. Chants ranged from the classic “Makibaka! ‘Wag matakot!” to “Ikulong na ‘yan, mga kurakot” (to the cadence of the University of the Philippines’ chant) and calls to abolish pork barrel and confidential funds.
Ahead of the rally, protesters were told to be ready for rain, with Super Typhoon Nando forecast to hit the country that day. But instead of showers, attendees brought their umbrellas out to shield themselves from the sun. Like my friend and I, others took cover under the trees in Rizal Park and Quirino Grandstand, where we also ate our light “baon” and sweets sold by street vendors.
Officers of the Manila Police District and the Philippine Coast Guard were stationed at parts of the park and grandstand to keep protesters out of certain areas, but many managed to get through without harm.
‘Marcos Singilin, Duterte Panagutin’
A stage was put up on the street, where activists, cultural workers, and representatives of various groups led mass calls, such as former Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago, filmmakers JL Burgos and Jun Sabayton, and actress Angel Aquino, among many others. They also gave impassioned speeches condemning the impunity and lack of accountability for politicians and contractors who have allegedly benefited from corruption.
On the government officials and businessmen who benefited from kickbacks in flood control projects, Co said, “May inspiration ‘ata sila sa imeldific lifestyle ni Imelda Marcos,” pointing out that the former first lady played a significant role in the plundering of the country’s wealth during the rule of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Aquino said, “Naiintindihan ko ang galit nating lahat. Pero I think mas importante na bantayan natin ang kilos nilang lahat…Panagutin natin sila, dahil sobra na sila.”
Crowded and sweating under umbrellas, many people on and off stage also called out President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte for allegedly perpetuating and taking part in the government’s corrupt systems. Several placards called Marcos and Duterte “nepo babies,” referring to their political families and the children of politicians and contractors involved in the flood control scandal.
Other placards contained witty pop culture references, from the line “That boy is corrupt” off Sabrina Carpenter’s “Nobody’s Son” to “Over naman sa nakaw,” which draws from Filipino content creator Sophie Prime’s “over naman” jokes. At some point, a group also played Carpenter’s hit song “Manchild.”
At around noon, crowds dissipated as people either made their way home or went to the Trillion Peso March in Quezon City, with some attendees forming long queues up the stairs to the nearby LRT-1 United Nations station and others marching on to EDSA.
Rolling Stone Philippines September 2025 Issue, Now Available at SariSari Shopping
