Students opened the second semester this January-February with protests and activities in no less than 11 universities. Hundreds gathered to continue struggling for their democratic rights, hold the Marcos regime accountable for massive corruption, and resist repression.

Protests broke out in 10 University of the Philippines (UP) System campuses, highlighted by the march of more than 550 UP Los Baños students in Laguna on January 19.

Protests were also held in Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Technological University of the Philippines-Manila, Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, National Teachers’ College, Saint Louis University in Baguio City, Cavite State University, and University of San Carlos in Cebu City.

Stand against TOFI. Opposition to tuition and other fee increase (TOFI) proposals in private universities marked the protests. Universities cite rising costs of education, facility improvements, and higher salaries for teachers and staff. Related to this, the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) launched a 5-point demand against TOFI.

Meanwhile, NUSP lauded University of the East and DLSU students following the two university administrations’ recent announcement that they will not implement TOFI in the 2026-2027 academic year. This victory came as a result of petitions, dialogues, protests, and united actions of students, student councils, and progressive groups.