On September 12, 2025, a series of widespread demonstrations began in the Philippines, with protests mainly planned at Rizal Park in Manila and at the People Power Monument and EDSA Shrine along EDSA in Quezon City, both within Metro Manila.[7] They involve several anti-corruption protests stemming from investigations into government corruption in flood control programs, involving both the executive and legislative branches of the Philippine government. The date (September 21) coincides with the 53rd anniversary of the imposition of martial law in the Philippines (martial law was declared via televised address two days later on September 23). Several cities and municipalities across different provinces are also expected to hold local demonstrations.
The protests in Rizal Park ("Baha sa Luneta") are organized by various sectorial groups, including activists and students, while the protest in the People Power Monument is known as the "Trillion Peso March" and was organized mainly by religious sectors, mainly the Catholic and the Protestants.[8][9]
Reports of anomalies in flood control projects, including incomplete or substandard work and alleged ghost projects, prompted widespread criticism of the government.[citation needed] Public discontent grew amid calls for transparency and accountability in infrastructure spending.
Events
September 9
In light of the allegations that Senate President Francis Escudero's benefactors are involved in the anomalous flood control projects, he was replaced by Minority Leader and former Senate leader Tito Sotto, securing 14 out of 24 Senators support.[10]
In light of the corruption in flood control projects involving the Philippine Congress, Martin Romualdez stepped down as House Speaker.[14] He was replaced by Bojie Dy of Isabela's 6th congressional district with 253 votes.[14] The Palace noted that Romualdez will not be spared by the investigation into allegations of massive corruption in the awarding of flood control projects.[14]
September 18
Students from Bulacan State University staged a campus "walkout" on September 18 to protest alleged corruption in government projects.[15] The activity was joined by around 300 participants, including students, faculty members, youth organizations, and representatives from marginalized sections.[16]
September 20
Local residents of Hagonoy, Bulacan, held a protest on 3.9-foot-high (1.2m) high tide water that engulfed many areas in the town and in the towns plaza to protest the failed flood control projects in the town.[17]
A series of mass demonstrations around the country were held on Sunday, September 21. The date of the rally, September 21, coincides with the anniversary of the imposition of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, a symbolic choice for groups emphasizing democratic rights and government accountability.[18]
Several government officials have expressed support for the protests. President Marcos has addressed the public's concerns by expressing his support for the protests, stating that he understands their anger and would likely join them if he were not president.[9] DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon expressed his full support for rallies that condemn government corruption, responding to ongoing anti-corruption demonstrations.[24] Vice President Duterte, who flew to visit OFW communities in Japan, also voiced her support for the protests, calling on the government to listen.[25]
During the rallies, Duterte supporters clashed with other protesters.[26] Ultimately, while both protests were relatively peaceful, violent incidents occurred in Manila, particularly in Mendiola and Recto.[27] Journalist Manuel Mogato remarked that the violence along the areas were an isolated incident among the nationwide demonstrations, noting that both protesters and police authorities were more restrained than during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s and 1980s, while UP journalism professor Danilo Arao did not just consider the Sept. 21 rallies as culminating activities but also a time for all citizens, not just journalists, to carry out their patriotic duty to "fact check everything."[28][29]
Police reported that protesters in Mendiola threw improvised incendiary devices, including Molotov cocktails, which injured at least 39 officers.[30] Alongside these confrontations, media also reported scattered incidents of property damage such as burning tires and barricades during face-offs between security forces and demonstrators.[31] Rioters engaged in violent confrontations with police and ignited a trailer truck on Ayala Bridge in Manila.[32] A group of alleged teenagers rioted along Recto Avenue by setting fires in the middle of the street, hurling stones, human waste, and objects at police officers, and attacking several nearby establishments including ransacking a Sogo Hotel branch.[33] Around 9:30PM PST, a small explosion was heard during a confrontation between the authorities and rallyists in Mendiola. It was not yet confirmed if the commotion came from the rallyists or from an armed officer.[34][bettersourceneeded] None of the police officers assigned to crowd control were armed with guns, while a SWAT officer was spotted by photojournalist Ezra Acayan to be carrying a firearm.[29][35]
Seventeen individuals were arrested for throwing rocks at riot police and igniting barricade tires, as reported by local authorities. Less than an hour later, police deployed a water cannon against another group of masked protesters. Some officers retaliated by throwing rocks back at the demonstrators. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno stated that police officers were injured during the confrontations and are currently receiving medical care.[36]
According to the police, 224 individuals were arrested during a protest against corruption, which resulted in 131 police officers getting injured.[37] The Manila Police District (MPD) reported arrests at various locations: 51 at Ayala Bridge (38 adults, 13 minors), 21 at Mendiola (14 adults, 7 minors), and 41 at Recto (13 adults, 28 minors). Among the injured police, eight had lacerations, with nine hospitalized for observation and one possibly needing admission for a nasal fracture.[6]
2 masked rioters near Ayala bridge in Manila, Sept. 21, 2025
Rizal Park became one of the primary venues for the September 21 mass demonstrations. The activities around Luneta were collectively referred to as "Baha sa Luneta" (transl."Flood in Luneta").[38]
Protesters gathered at the Luneta Park on Sunday in a program lead by the group Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (transl."People Against Thieves and Abusers Network Alliance"), or TAMA NA.[39] Students from the University of the Philippines Manila marched to the Luneta rally.[40][41][42]
About 49,000 people were in the park by 10a.m., according to Manila Public Information Office.[43]
Led by Tindig Pilipinas, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, Clergy for Good Governance, and other religious groups, protesters gathered at the EDSA Shrine to conduct the Trillion Peso March demonstration.[44][45]
In Cebu City, dozens of protesters, primarily students and youth, gathered at Fuente Osmeña Circle at 8:30 a.m. PST before marching along Osmeña Boulevard. The rally lasted for about two hours.[48] A separate rally was held by pro-Duterte protesters at Plaza Independencia, calling for President Marcos' resignation.[49]
In Davao City, pro-Duterte groups roasted 100 cows as an "offering to the heavens" against corruption in a prayer rally organized by Vice President Duterte.[50] The sacrificial slaughtering was condemned by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society.[51]
Smaller gatherings were also held in cities outside the Philippines in solidarity with the September 21 protests including in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.[55]
September 22
On September 22, it was reported that schools were closed and there is a curfew was declared for minors.[37] Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) staged a protest at Camp Crame for the alleged police brutality following the arrest of the rioters on September 21.[56] On September 22, the Communist Party of the Philippines released a statement supporting the protests, and connected the political unrest to recent protests in Indonesia, Nepal, and Kenya.[57]
1 2 Mogato, Manny (September 22, 2025). "A lesson in crowd control". Facebook. Retrieved September 22, 2025. The crowd control units were only armed with truncheons and shields, no firearms. They were backed by fire engines with water cannons[....] The violence that erupted Sunday was an isolated incident.
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