Vol. VIII, No. 12 - June 30, 2026
On June 28, thousands of Filipinos once again took to the streets, gathering in front of the historic EDSA People Power Monument to demand accountability for the catastrophic flood control infrastructure scandal. This mobilization marks a landmark convergence. For the first time, a broad unity of organizations and prominent figures has come together to demand an end to the systemic impunity of politicians who raid public coffers for personal enrichment.
The mass demonstrations against this multi-billion-peso corruption scandal—which implicates both the legislative and executive branches—initially erupted on September 21, 2025. However, at the onset, those demanding accountability were deeply fragmented in their strategies and demands.
On one side, the “Baha sa Luneta” (Flood at Luneta) rally was led by the militant alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), joined by various progressive personalities and sectoral organizations. Over 50,000 citizens flooded Rizal Park in Manila, carrying banners that read ”Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot!” (All those involved must be held accountable!) and ”Marcos singilin, Duterte panagutin!” (Hold Marcos to account, make Duterte answerable!). Beyond demanding justice for the stolen funds, Bayan called for the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. due to his complicity in the systemic corruption. They advocated for the establishment of a Transition Council to dismantle deep-seated graft, reform the skewed electoral system that favors political dynasties, and pave the way for genuinely clean, democratic elections.
On the other side, the initial “Trillion Peso March” at the EDSA Monument was led by Cardinal Tagle, alongside the political party Akbayan (a covert Marcos ally), factions of the Liberal Party, and several staunch anti-communist figures. While this mobilization drew over 10,000 people to demand accountability, its leaders explicitly prohibited slogans targeting the sitting president. Fearing that destabilizing Marcos might trigger a power grab by the Duterte faction—or that an impeachment would constitutionally elevate Vice President Sara Duterte to the presidency—they chose to isolate their demands for accountability to the Dutertes alone.
The recent June 28 mobilization, however, represents a seismic shift. Organized under the banner of the White Ribbon Movement and led by Cardinal David, the demonstration saw BAYAN and other progressive forces march side-by-side. The fragmented factions have finally united under a single, uncompromised demand: every single individual responsible for plunder must be held accountable—without exception, and regardless of their political alignment.
Today, the vast majority of Filipinos realize that corruption is not a collection of isolated incidents, but an endemic feature of the Philippine political system. This is the textbook definition of Bureaucrat-Capitalism: a system where high-ranking government officials routinely weaponize the power of the state to protect private monopolies and accumulate massive personal wealth.
To end this cycle, the Filipino people must remain aroused, organized, and mobilized. The fight against the flood control scandal must not be reduced to a tool for elite factional infighting. Instead, the struggle against Bureaucrat-Capitalism must be waged as a central, non-negotiable front in the broader, historic movement for genuine national and social liberation.