Labor groups arrive at the People Power Monument in Quezon City for the “Trillion Peso March” on Bonifacio Day, November 30, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Malacanang continues to monitor the ongoing November 30 protests against corruption on Sunday.
Press Secretary Dave Gomez said they hope that the protests will continue to be peaceful and that they will eventually end Sunday night.
"We're monitoring the situation right now with my team. Again sabi ko nga, 'sana manatiling mapayapa yung ating protesta today,'" he said in an interview on ANC. "Hindi maganda ang yung forecast sa weather baka umulan, sana maganda ang proteksyon ng ating mamamayan laban sa ulan."
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"'Yung first few hours nakikita naming maraming dumalo at naririning naming ang kanilang panawagan. Again, sana manatiling peaceful ng rally at matapos ng mapayapa ang ating rally ngayong araw na ito."
He also urged the public to guard against possible violence that might erupt during the assemblies.
"'Yung panawagan ko is to remain vigilant against all of those who may attempt to sow chaos and violence sa ating mga peaceful rallies," said Gomez.
"Ang mga peaceful rallies natin is part of a healthy, functioning democracy."
Thousands marched in Manila on Sunday, demanding jail time for scores of officials, lawmakers and construction firm owners accused of pocketing billions in taxpayer money in a sweeping corruption scandal.
Rage over so-called ghost flood-control projects has been mounting for months in the archipelago country of 116 million, where entire towns have been buried in floodwaters driven by powerful typhoons in recent months.
According to official crowd-size estimates, fewer than 10,000 people took to the streets, while more than 17,000 police officers were deployed.
'SPARE TIRE'
Gomez was also asked to comment on the statement made by Vice President Sara Duterte who declared herself "ready" to assume the presidency.
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"When a person assumes the Vice Presidency on Day 1, she should be ready to assume the presidency," he said. "That's her role as spare tire."
However, he admitted that it is irresponsible to issue such a statement given the current situation.
"I have to say, in the midst of all of these, it may add to some form of destabilization and you're correct it may be irresponsible that statement at this point," he said. -- with a report from Agence France-Presse