“The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power.”
– Wael Ghonim
The Trillion Peso March was a huge wave of protests that swept across the Philippines on September 21, 2025. People from all walks of life – including church groups, student organizations, labor unions, civic groups, and political movements – came together to speak out against the massive corruption in government flood control projects. What sparked this event were the reports that out of the ₱1.9 trillion supposedly spent on these projects over the past 15 years, more than half may have been pocketed by corrupt officials. The protesters were fed up and wanted answers, demanding accountability for what they saw as a shocking crime in the misuse of public funds.
What made the protests even more powerful was the date itself, because September 21 also marks the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law and is closely tied to the spirit of the EDSA People Power Revolution. For many, marching in the streets on that day wasn’t just about the present corruption scandal; it was also a symbolic act, a way of honoring the country’s history of standing up to abuse of power and fighting for democracy.
Reports, infographics, and exposés about the purported corruption in the government’s flood control infrastructure projects were widely circulated on social media and in news outlets in the days preceding the Trillion Peso March. After assembling documents and budget breakdowns, it was discovered that the nation’s flooding issues had not significantly improved despite nearly ₱1.9 trillion being spent on flood control. More than half of that money may have been lost to kickbacks, ghost projects, and overpriced contracts. Public indignation rose over these revelations, which swiftly went viral online and fueled calls for protests across the country.
According to reports, an estimated 60,000 souls took to the streets, many of them carrying placards that showcased causes they are passionate about; cameras to document a momentous event; and a burning desire to give justice to all Filipinos.
My friends (including fellow HAPIsko Kelly Kim Sepida) and I were among those who marched in the Bacolod protests: we walked from Provincial Lagoon to Public Plaza where the event culminated, and where various speakers from different sectors, including the youth, lawyers, transport groups, religious sectors, and various organizations took to the stage and spoke words that all the protesters echoed.
The Trillion Peso March trended all over social media, showing the power of people coming together to call out injustices and crimes by people in positions of power.
Shouting and walking together with other Filipinos from various walks of life is an empowering feeling. It leaves a sense of hope and a spark of change. But the real challenge would be the things that will come after it, after the elation and noise of the protest, what would we do next?
We have to never forget about the anger, keep ourselves informed about what is happening in these countless hearings and speeches that these accused are preaching about. When the time comes to be present in the streets again, we’ll be much more powerful.
