Members of civil society coalitions, youth, and anti-corruption groups hold a protest at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on September 21, 2025, to condemn systemic corruption in the country. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — One of the organizers of the Trillion Peso March said Monday that another edition of the mass protest would be staged if big personalities allegedly involved in the flood control corruption scandal were still not held to account.
Kiko Aquino Dee said they were anticipating that more cases would be filed before the December 15 deadline set by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Politicians, artists join Trillion Peso March in Quezon City
He said the path of government investigations into the controversy seemed to focus on "relatively minor government officials and contractors."
"It's a little worrisome that when it comes to these … big fish, the government seems to be tentative as far as their commitment to investigating them," he said.
"If that sort of... continues, I think it is right to have a third edition."
Dee explained that organizers were committed to continuing organizing as long as the corruption scam issue remained unresolved.
This is also to remind the government that "citizens are very serious" about the issue, he said.
Thousands marched in the streets of Metro Manila on Sunday for the second edition of the Trillion Peso March, demanding jail time for scores of officials, lawmakers, and construction firm owners accused of pocketing billions of pesos in a sweeping corruption scandal.
The first arrests in connection with the scandal — nine members of the Department of Public Works and Highways — were announced just days ago, with the government promising that "big fish are coming soon."
PNP READY
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday said the police force was prepared to provide security should a third round of nationwide anti-corruption protests take place.
“Dito pa lang sa Metro Manila, we have confronted with an average of 3 rallies everyday. Whether pro-government or anti-government, we are used to have these kinds of rallies and we welcome na magbigay sila ng ganyang saloobin at freedom of expression but may condition ito,” he said in a press briefing.
“If the exercise of rights invade the rights of others then these rights end. So we are prepared and continuously improving our security operations and resources are available such that magamit natin ito whether big or small ay ating papantayan or tutugunan,” he added.
Nartatez reported that the Trillion Peso March on November 30 was “very peaceful.”
“I would like to thank each and everyone, lalong lalo na ang ating mga kapulisan na nandito to implement the well-planned or deliberate security operations that we have crafted,” Nartatez said.
“Those personalities who asked for a permit and ito’ yung mga nag-protest or pumunta sa kalsada whether pro-government or anti-government nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanila for a very peaceful one,” he added.
Based on consolidated field reports, at least 90,000 individuals participated in 119 protest actions held across the country.
The National Capital Region (NCR) recorded the largest turnout, with more than 16,000 participants spread across various key areas including White Plains Avenue, the EDSA Shrine, Liwasang Bonifacio, San Sebastian, Luneta, and other locations.
Nartatez said that while there were isolated attempts by a few individuals to disrupt the flow of the program, police quick response teams were able to address them immediately.
The PNP is set to downgrade its full alert status after the briefing and begin clearing protest sites before officers return to their stations at 5 p.m.
Trillion Peso March 2.0 ends peacefully; organizers open to possible Part 3
SEPT. 21 PROTEST VIOLENCE
Meanwhile, the PNP–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said its investigation into the violence that erupted during the September 21 protests was ongoing.
CIDG acting director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II revealed that cases have been filed against several individuals, including one sitting congressman, a retired high-ranking general, and several businessmen.
“In fact, hinihintay namin na magkamali ulit sila during this group but apparently, they knew that some personalities na sinubpoena namin noon have realized that you can criticize the government but do not play with the law of the land,” Morico said.
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— With a report from Agence France-Presse