By Atty. Howie Calleja
Our nation has seen its share of massive protests, most famously the EDSA Revolution, where ordinary folks stood up and kicked out a dictator, opening the door to a new kind of government. More recently, we saw the “Trillion Peso March,” which, like those past gatherings at Luneta and EDSA, was all about getting rid of corruption and making our leaders answerable to us. But there’s something different about this march that’s worth digging into.
Just like those earlier rallies at Luneta and EDSA, this march was peaceful and aimed at ending corruption and those political dynasties that seem to stick around forever. The “Trillion Peso March” had those same goals at heart, inspired by that old spirit of people getting involved and making their voices heard. But this time, the focus was a bit different. Unlike EDSA I and II, which were mostly about getting rid of certain leaders and shaking up the government, this march wasn’t about specific people or swapping one politician for another. It was about the whole country – the Philippines and its people – wanting a complete overhaul of how things are done.
What this march really comes down to is changing that culture of corruption that’s been dragging us down for so long. It’s about fixing the system itself, getting everyone to change their mindset, and bringing back those values of loving our country, sacrificing for it, and really dedicating ourselves to making things better. It’s not just about changing the faces at the top; it’s about rebuilding everything from the ground up, making sure our government works for us and that we all share the same values.
The demands of the “Trillion Peso March” were pretty clear: stop the corruption, get rid of that pork barrel where money disappears, make those responsible pay for what they’ve done, and throw the corrupt officials in jail right away. These demands show how fed up Filipinos are with corruption, which many believe has been holding us back and making us lose faith in our leaders.
But the “Trillion Peso March” is more than just a one-day thing; it’s the start of something bigger that’s been felt all over the Philippines. The fact that thousands of Filipinos showed up not just in Manila but in other big cities too shows how widespread this feeling is – this shared desire for change. That united shout of “Enough!” is like a wake-up call, telling everyone that we’re not going to put up with corruption and getting away with it anymore.
So, while the “Trillion Peso March” shares that same peaceful vibe and that goal of good government with those past events like Luneta and EDSA, it’s different because it’s focused on changing the whole system, not just swapping out leaders. It’s a big moment in Philippine history, showing that we’re serious about fixing the foundations of our country through getting involved, making sure people are held accountable, and sharing that vision of a future without corruption. This march isn’t the end of the story, but just the beginning – a sign of the hope and strength of the Filipino people.