MANILA — Thousands of Filipinos, including politicians and artists, gathered at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Sunday, November 30, as the second Trillion Peso March took place, calling for accountability, transparency, and justice amid what organizers described as one of the largest corruption crises in recent years.
The mass action, which coincided with the birthday of the Father of Philippine Revolution, Andres Bonifacio, drew a diverse crowd from ordinary citizens, students, activists, artists, religious groups, to personalities from both entertainment and politics.
Participants emphasized that Bonifacio’s historic struggle for freedom, equality, and national dignity mirrors the current fight to reclaim public funds allegedly lost to corruption.
The program began early in the morning, featuring solidarity messages, musical performances, and testimonies from whistleblowers and advocates. At noon, more groups marched from different points in Quezon City, converging at the monument as the afternoon segment began.
Prominent figures had arrived to show their support.
Among those present were ML Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, Sens. Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and political analyst Ronald Llamas.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, actress Pinky Amador and the band Ben&Ben were also present.
Various youth groups, sectoral leaders, and community representatives also took the stage throughout the day.
Various groups, sectors arrive at People Power Ofor Trillion Peso March
LLAMAS
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Ronald Llamas criticized the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) after its secretary suggested that ₱500 could be enough for a family of five’s Noche Buena.
"Sana hindi limang daang piso ang Noche Buena, mahiya naman sila. Sa gitna ng korapsiyon, nile-lecture-an tayo, kung papaano ang Noche Buena natin? Mahiya naman kayo. Akala mo sinagad na ang kahihiyan, medyo mahiya naman sila. Ang dami na ng korupsyon, daan-daang bilyon, tapos isama po ba ang desisyon ng COMELEC (Commission on Elections) kay Chiz Escudero, tapos meron pang limangdaang piso, meron pang allocables. Walang limit ang korapsyon, tigilan na yan," Llamas said.
His remarks were met with cheers and chants from the crowd, many of whom carried placards criticizing economic hardships, inflation, and alleged misuse of government funds.
DE LIMA: KULANG PA
De Lima took the stage and delivered a message focusing on the urgent need to strengthen institutional measures against corruption.
While she acknowledged that cases are now being charged against involved politicians, public officials and contractors, she said these are not enough as the masterminds remain at large.
"May mga nakasuhan na pero kulang na kulang pa. Marami pang dapat kasuhan at ikulong, lalo na yung mga mastermind ng korapsiyon, yung mga 'big fish'," she said.
She also urged involved officials to return the ill-gotten wealth from the corrupt flood control projects.
"May mga nagbalik ng nakaw na yaman, pero mukhang isa pa lang. Tingi, tingi lang. Hindi pwede magnakaw ng bilyon bilyon tapos barya lang ang isasauli. Sinong niloloko niyo? Maniniwala lang kami kung ibabalik niyo lahat ng ninakaw ninyo," she said.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News, De Lima highlighted the proposed Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC) bill, a measure she has long advocated for.
“In fairness naman to ICI, meron na silang nagawa, meron nang nagiging output ang kanilang mga ginagawa, pero it seems they are overwhelmed,” De Lima said.
“Kaya pinu-push talaga namin yung immediate enactment ng ICAIC bill, kasi kailangan na ng mas makapangyarihan, mas independent, mas may resources at personnel. Hindi kakayanin sa dami na ng mga nirerefer sa kanila… Kaya isa sa panawagan talaga namin is yung certify as urgent ang ICAIC bill.”
De Lima argued that with corruption cases ballooning and investigative bodies overstretched, passing the bill has become “a matter of national urgency.”
GRAY: FILIPINOS EXHAUSTED, LEADERS SILENT
Meanwhile, Gray said Filipinos are beginning to feel exhaustion from the corruption issues, while leaders "remain silent."
"People have gone silent, not because they do not care but because they lost the belief that change will even come. And while our nation grows exhausted, our leaders remain silent. Sobrang tahimik, nakakabingi. Bakit tayo pumapayag?" she said.
"Ilang baha pa, ilang scandal pa, ilang nakaw na pondo pa, before we finally say tama na?" she added.
The former Miss Universe said the spotlight is now on only one agency due to the flood control scandal, but the scale would grow bigger if the education, agriculture, healthcare, ports, airports, taxes and procurement sectors were included.
Gray called on government agencies to take action. "Today we demand action to the Ombudsman to file the cases now; to the senators, suspend the senators implicated; and to the Congress, pass the anti-political dynasty bill."
"Because power should not be inherited, it should be earned through the service of the people," she added.
DIOKNO: BBM, SARA ASAN SALN NIYO?
Diokno, during his speech, said the public will make the involved public officials and others pay for their debt, including the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
"BBM, nasaan na ang SALN mo? Sara, nasaan na ang SALN mo? May utang kayo at babayaran niyo yan," he said.
He said Duterte's father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, will also pay for the extra-judicial killings during his bloody war on drugs.
Marcos, Diokno added, will also pay for the ghost and substandard projects under his administration.
Diokno said the current administration is also indebted to Filipinos with good governance, but he added: "Pero palagay ko, hindi nila kayang bayaran iyan. Kasi hindi sila marunong mag-good ogvernance."
"Kaya tayo na sa 2028 ang magpapalit sa kanila," he said.
Representatives from labor groups, transport sectors, and civil society organizations also delivered speeches addressing the broader impacts of corruption, rising prices, underfunded services, and eroding public trust.
Organizers scheduled performances from Ben&Ben, local bands, and artists, all using their platforms to amplify calls for accountability.
The program is expected to conclude by 6 p.m.
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