THE militant Makabayan bloc called Malacañang’s support for the anti-corruption rally scheduled on September 21 “blatant hypocrisy” and “utter sham,” saying it means nothing as long as the police and state forces continue to attack activists.
Rep. Antonio Tinio said while the Palace expressed support for the protests, “while simultaneously allowing—and in many cases orchestrating—systematic harassment, intimidation, and disinformation campaigns against peaceful protesters and organizers.
“The Palace’s support is nothing if the police continue to harass activists and spread lies against protesters,” he said in Filipino. “How can Marcos claim to support anti-corruption efforts when he himself sits atop the stinking garbage heap of corruption in the Philippines today as chief executive, proponent and implementor of the national budget?”
Tinio continued: “The irony is not lost on us that September 21 serves as a stark reminder of martial law, of the Marcos dictatorship, the mother of all corruption and fascist scandals in Philippine history. This date reminds us that the entire Marcos political dynasty is built upon a foundation of corruption, plunder, and systematic theft from the Filipino people.”
Malacañang on Saturday said that while it supports the protests that stemmed from the discovery of massive graft and corruption in flood control projects, it is hoping that the rally will not be used to destabilize the government.
Rep. Renee Louise Co (PL, Kabataan) said the administration is obviously especially worried because of the significance of the rally’s date, which is the 53rd anniversary of the Martial Law declaration of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“Ang tutoo, takot ang administrasyon sa September 21 (The truth is the administration is scared of September 21),” she said. “Marcos’ entire political career is based on his family’s corruption, and now he has the audacity to claim support for anti-corruption protests? This is hypocrisy of the highest order.”
Co said the timing of the protests “makes the government’s duplicitous stance even more reprehensible.”
“While claiming to respect democratic rights, the administration employs the very same tactics of surveillance, intimidation, and disinformation that characterized the darkest period of our nation’s history under the Marcos dictatorship,” he said.
The Makabayan bloc demanded that the Palace immediately “order the cessation of all forms of harassment and intimidation against protest organizers and participants; direct the PNP to respect and protect the constitutional right to assembly; stop the spread of disinformation and red-tagging campaigns against legitimate civil society groups; ensure that September 21 rallies proceed without state interference or sabotage; and return the billions stolen by the Marcos family and hold them accountable for decades of plunder.”
BUDGET CUTS
Also yesterday, Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste said the scholarships and educational assistance to college students next year should be taken from the P881 billion proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in light of the graft and corruption issues hounding the department.
Leviste, a vice chair of the House committee on appropriations, called for reducing wastage in the national budget and allocating the savings to education “to end the cycle of poverty in the Philippines.”
The neophyte lawmaker, a son of Sen. Loren Legarda, also raised the issue during the budget hearing on the proposed budget of the Commission on Higher Education CHED) last week, when he called for a reduction of the unit costs of DPWH projects so the fund can be realigned to educational assistance to college students under the CHED’s Tulong Dunong Program.
“Mas marami din pong makikinabang kung automatic na lang po na lahat ng mga qualified na mga estudyante ay mabibigyan ng Tulong Dunong. Budget permitting po, would you agree? (Many will benefit if qualified students will automatically be given assistance under Tulong Dunong. Budget permitting, would you agree?)” to which CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said: “Kung may budget po, sino pang mag-hi-hindi na hindi matulungan ang mga nangangailangan na estudyante? (If there’s budget, who would refuse to help students who are in need)?”
Leviste said the budget for the Tulong Dunong Program can be augmented if the DPWH budget for 2026 is reduced by at least five percent.
He also urged the House to reduce the cost of road projects, even if just in the first district of Batangas, so that savings can be used to provide financial assistance to college students.
“So I would just like to ask the committee on appropriations if we can kindly make an amendment, at least in the 1st District of Batangas, if we can kindly reduce the unit costs of roads of the Department of Public Works and Highways so that we can guarantee to every student in the 1st District of Batangas that they, if they are qualified for the Tulong Dunong Program of CHED, will be able to receive a Tulong Dunong Program slot or another form of educational assistance,” he said.
Leviste had earlier filed House Bill No. 27, which seeks to provide a monthly allowance of P1,000 to every Filipino student from kindergarten to college, in public or private schools.
DPWH SECURITY
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla yesterday said the PNP will provide security to DPWH personnel involved in the inspection of major flood control projects.
“Sa security side lang kami (We’re just on the security side),” Remulla said in a statement.
“Wala kaming alam sa forensic infrastructure pero marami kasing threat sa mga tao, so kasama kami sa mga tumutulong. (We know nothing about forensic infrastructure but there are a lot of threats to people, so we will be among those who will help),” added Remulla, referring to the PNP, an agency under the DILG.
The DPWH is inspecting flood control projects amid allegations of corruption involving government officials and contractors.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has created a committee to investigate these irregularities.
While the PNP is not involved in the technical assessments, Remulla said the presence of the policemen will be essential due to what the DILG described as “credible security threats surrounding the inspection activities.”
“Yes, nandoon sila (Yes, they will be there),” said Remulla of the policemen.
“Round-the-clock kasi delikado talaga buhay nila. (It’s round-the-clock because their lives are at risk),” said Remulla, referring to DPWH inspectors.
The DILG said it is committed to working closely with DPWH and other agencies in the inspection of infrastructure projects, specifically those aimed at mitigating the effects of flooding.
AFP ON RED ALERT
The Armed Forces have declared Red Alert, its highest state of alert, amid the continuing protests over corruption in government flood control projects.
In an interview with radio DzBB yesterday, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the declaration is meant to ensure the military’s readiness to ensure peace.
“As of now, all units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been placed on Red Alert effective last 12 September 2025,” Padilla said in mixed English and Filipino.
“This is a standard security protocol. We would like to emphasize that there is nothing to be worried about. This is simply to ensure our readiness and support to the Philippine National Police, who have the primary mandate in maintaining peace and order,” added Padilla.
Under the Red Alert status, Padilla said a certain number of soldiers will be required to be in the camp. She said soldiers’ leaves have been suspended.
“Your Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready for any eventuality,” said Padilla.
Padilla recognized the possibility that some groups, with a different agenda, would infiltrate the rallies. She said the military is closely coordinating with the PNP and other concerned agencies.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue to monitor the situation. But again, we are playing a support role in terms of law enforcement, to the PNP,” said Padilla.
Padilla said the military respects the constitutional right of the people to peaceably assemble.
“But our stand is clear: We are not going to allow any individual or group to sow violence, disunity in the society or chaos,” said Padilla.
“With our coordination with the PNP, we are ensuring that this advocacy is legitimate and that we are protecting it while potential threats are being closely monitored as well,” said Padilla.
Last Friday night, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. dismissed calls for the military to withdraw support from the President amid the protests.
In a joint statement, Teodoro and Brawner said the DND and the AFP “remain steadfast defenders of our nation and our democratic institutions.”
They issued the statement after calls by some individuals associated with the previous Duterte administration for the AFP to withdraw support from the President so that corrupt officials can be held accountable.
Several groups have been holding rallies to denounce the anomalous flood control projects involving government officials, including lawmakers and contractors, in the past weeks.
Last Saturday, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) monitored seven protest actions in the metropolis, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said in a separate interview with DzBB,
“All seven rallies yesterday were peaceful,” said Asilo, adding the PNP maintained close coordination with the organizers of the rallies.
Asilo said only one of the rallies was covered by a permit. Nevertheless, she said the PNP allowed the protesters to air their sentiments, in keeping with the directive of higher authorities.
“We gave them the opportunity to express their sentiments against the government. After that, they dispersed,” said Asilo.
The PNP is anticipating more rallies in the coming days, including on September 21, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos, the father of incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Asilo said they are conducting “intelligence monitoring” to ensure no untoward incidents during the rallies.
Asilo said the NCRPO has not received any information about plans to sow violence during these rallies.
“Nevertheless, the directive of our regional director (Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin) is clear: to remain on alert and intensify our intelligence monitoring and visibility.”
“We will also intensify our coordination with the intelligence community and other allied agencies to ensure no one will take advantage or sow violence,” added Asilo.
Last Thursday, the NCRPO said all its personnel were on “full alert and ready to protect both demonstrators and the general public” amid the protest actions.
After the “generally peaceful” protests last week, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said: “I extend my heartfelt thanks to every police officer who stood watch with professionalism and compassion. Your discipline and respect for human rights reflect the best of our service.”
Nartatez also thanked the public, including the rally organizers and participants, “for your cooperation and for observing agreed protocols.
“Together, we showed that dialogue and peaceful assembly can thrive in a democracy,” said Nartatez.
In a statement, the PNP said 2,100 policemen “worked quietly in the background to keep everyone safe and traffic moving.
“Throughout the demonstrations, PNP units maintained maximum tolerance, ensuring that the voices of the protesters were heard while safeguarding public safety and the normal flow of daily activities,” it said.
These protests, the PNP said, were held in key areas in Metro Manila, including the Edsa Shrine.
“The PNP calls on communities, local governments, and advocacy groups to continue this spirit of cooperation so that every voice can be heard in a climate of safety and respect,” the PNP said.
