MANILA, Philippines — September 21, 2025.
Tens of thousands of Filipinos poured into the streets on Sunday to mark the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law with a resounding cry: “Laban sa Katiwalian” (Fight Against Corruption). The day, long remembered for its historical weight under the Marcos dictatorship, has now become a battleground for present-day demands for integrity and accountability in government.
A Day of Protest, A Cry for Change
From Luneta Park to the People Power Monument along EDSA, rallyists held banners, placards, and streamers denouncing alleged large-scale corruption in public infrastructure projects. Demonstrators accused officials of squandering billions on so-called “ghost projects”—infrastructure works that were either substandard or never built at all.
Provincial capitals from Cebu to Davao also saw parallel gatherings, making the movement one of the broadest mobilizations since the pandemic. Organizers described the protests as both a remembrance of past abuses and a demand for justice in the present.
Citizens from All Walks of Life
The crowd was a diverse mix: students, labor unions, church groups, urban poor communities, and flood survivors who claimed they had been left vulnerable due to unfinished or faulty flood control systems. Elderly Martial Law survivors stood alongside first-time protesters, connecting the struggles of two generations.
“Martial Law taught us what unchecked power and corruption can do. Today we are fighting so that history does not repeat itself,” said 72-year-old activist Liza Ramos, who attended the Luneta rally.
Government Responds
Malacañang issued a statement acknowledging public anger but urged demonstrators to remain peaceful. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his earlier promise that “no one will be spared” in the ongoing investigation into questionable infrastructure contracts.
Security forces were deployed nationwide, though police reported largely peaceful demonstrations with only minor scuffles in isolated areas.
Symbolism of the Date
For many participants, September 21 is not just about the past—it is a reminder of how corruption and abuse can persist if institutions fail. Protest leaders deliberately tied the call against corruption to the memory of Martial Law, saying that both eras reflect how power can be exploited at the expense of ordinary citizens.
“September 21 is not just a day in history. It is a warning. Our fight is against corruption that robs the people today, just as much as tyranny robbed our freedom then,” said a youth leader addressing the crowd at EDSA.
What Protesters Want
The movement outlined clear demands:
- Full accountability for officials linked to irregular infrastructure projects.
- Public release of all audit reports on major government contracts.
- Stronger safeguards against political interference in public works.
- Assurance that funds will be redirected toward genuine flood protection and disaster resilience.
Laban sa Katiwalian
Organizers vowed that Sunday’s protests were only the beginning, with follow-up actions planned in universities, churches, and provincial communities in the coming weeks.
As dusk fell over Metro Manila, thousands lit candles at Luneta and EDSA, chanting “Never Again” not only against Martial Law, but against what they called the “modern dictatorship of corruption.”
