By Vince Hermosura
The Trillion-Peso March has emerged as a thunderous outcry from Filipinos enraged by rampant corruption—fueled by ghost projects and perpetuated by political dynasties, often embodied in the rise of Nepo Wives and Nepo Kids.
This multisectoral protest united business leaders, labor groups, professionals, faith-based and civic organizations, and ordinary citizens in one call: accountability and genuine reform. The strongest force on the ground came from Gen Z, the same generation that had already flexed its political muscle by rejecting traditional, showbiz-backed candidates in recent senatorial elections.
Filipinos slammed the entrenched culture of corruption, naming politicians, legislators, contractors, and public officials—from Congress to the DPWH, LGUs, and COA—as complicit. Their message was blunt: no one must escape prosecution.
“Justice must be served swiftly and without political interference,” the groups declared, branding the flood control scandal not just theft but a betrayal of trust that endangered communities and bled the nation dry.
Fueled by a massive Gen Z turnout, the protest marked a generational revolt against political dynasties and the shameless Nepo Wives and Nepo Kids who enrich themselves while the nation drowns.
“Justice must be served swiftly and without political interference,” the groups declared, branding the flood control scandal not just theft but a betrayal of trust that endangered communities and bled the nation dry.
Even in the Senate, cracks began to show. During a recent investigation, jailed former President Rody Duterte’s closest ally and former PNP Chief, now Senator Bato dela Rosa, asked Sarah Dizcaya when her company began securing large government projects. Her blunt reply: “2016”, the very year Duterte assumed power. Caught off guard, Dela Rosa pressed, “Are you sure?” to which Dizcaya firmly confirmed.
The groups are also backing the creation of an independent investigative body with real teeth—free from politics, fully empowered to expose wrongdoing, prosecute the guilty, and dismantle a system long hijacked by greed.
“This is blood money,” the groups thundered. “Every peso stolen from flood projects is a peso stolen from families left underwater, from broken infrastructure, from public services our people desperately need. This is not just corruption—it is betrayal. And it must end.”
The Leaders Forum and allied groups are demanding an independent investigative body with real teeth and free from politics, fully empowered to expose wrongdoing, prosecute the guilty, and dismantle a system long hijacked by greed.
The rally, however, also exposed opportunists. Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson was booed out by angry crowds. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong—embroiled in controversies over infrastructure projects in his own city—attempted to seize the protest spotlight, widely seen as maneuvering for a possible national post ahead of 2028. His presence drew loud jeers, with many mocking him as “Mayor Macallan.” Protesters demanded he resign as adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, citing his lack of moral authority.
“This is blood money,” the groups thundered. “Every peso stolen from flood projects is a peso stolen from families left underwater, from broken infrastructure, from public services our people desperately need. This is not just corruption—it is betrayal. And it must end.”