Runners pass through Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City as part of a protest run against corruption on Sept. 21, 2025. Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — More than a hundred runners took to the streets on Sunday, running from UP Diliman in Quezon City to Luneta in Manila to join a mass protest against alleged widespread corruption in government flood control projects.
Around 120 participants assembled at the iconic UP Oblation at around 5 a.m., before starting the 15-kilometer run.
The group was composed largely of runners from Quezon City.
Bianca Felipe, among the participants, said they were running in solidarity with protesters at Luneta.
"And it's obviously to fight corruption that has been long coming and long happening in the Philippines."
One of the participants, JC Garcia, said they joined the run out of frustration over government corruption.
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"Kaya kami sumali, kasi sobra na 'yung gobyerno, ninakawan na tayo. Tapos hanggang ngayon wala pang napapanagot, so sumama kami sa grupo na 'to para ipaglaban 'yung mga nasa laylayan din na apektado rin ng corruption," he said.
(We joined because the government has crossed the line. They are stealing from us. And nobody has been held accountable. So our group is joining to fight for those in the margins who are affected by corruption)
Anger over revelations of non-existent and substandard flood control projects has led to protests even as the Senate, House, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure conduct investigations.
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Some of the runners on Sunday said they are hoping that their call would be noticed and echoed by fellow Filipinos.
"Hindi lang naman kami 'yung pupunta dun, may iba rin. Siyempre hoping para sa kapwa natin Pilipino," said Nessa Catalasan.
(We are not the only ones going there. Of course, we continue to hope for our fellow Filipinos)
Apart from the runners, cycling groups are also scheduled to hold their own protest activities on September 21, 2025. Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN News
The runners are expected to converge with protesters at Luneta, where activist and multi-sectoral groups will hold a program to call for accountability and transparency in government projects.
The Luneta protest is one of several across the country, including one at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Sunday afternoon. Organizers of that protest say attendance could reach up to 30,000.
Groups affiliated with the Dutertes have organized their own activities at Liwasang Bonifacio in Makati and in front of Camp Aguinaldo, the national police headquarters in Quezon City.