Progressive groups and sectoral organizations launched simultaneous demonstrations on September 12 in different cities of the National Capital Region (NCR) to denounce corruption under the Marcos regime. The localized protests, held in six cities by organizations under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-NCR, served as preparation for the anticipated major protest action on September 21.

IN QUEZON CITY, progressive groups organized protests at Philcoa in Commonwealth Avenue, at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Katipunan Avenue, and Novaliches. They denounced more than 250 flood control projects funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the city, while only two were approved.

“While QC residents drown in floods every time it rains, bureaucrat capitalists are indulging in the money of the people they are supposed to be serving,” Bayan-QC declared. The group added that instead of solving flooding issues, anomalies and corruption only worsen disasters.

KYUSI 4 Truth and Accountability joined the Philcoa protest. On September 8, the group publicly condemned exposed local politicians involved in bribery and kickbacks from the Discaya family-operated flood control projects.

The Discayas named representatives Arjo Atayde, Marvin Rillo, Patrick Michael Vargas, and Marivic Co-Pilar as among those involved in corruption in Quezon City. Reports said these legislators received 10%-25% kickbacks per contract, described by the group as the “picture of systematic corruption” in the city and the country.

Anakbayan-Novaliches led the protest in Novaliches. “The Novaliches youth carry the demand for transparency in the funds allocated to projects—especially since one of those implicated by Discaya is Cong. PM Vargas, representative of District 5, QC,” the group stated.

The group said the ₱3.2 billion budget allocated for flood control projects in District 5 did not reach public projects or services, as floods still submerged the barangays. “Novaleños are extremely fed up that mere droplets of rain prompt them to carry their belongings upstairs,” it said.

Along Katipunan Avenue, the League of Filipino Students-Katipunan led a mobilization mainly joined by Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) students. The youth group expressed dismay over what it called the Marcos regime’s “winding and fake investigations” on flood control project anomalies.

At UP Diliman, students, faculty, and supporters carried out a walkout and boycott of classes on the same day. Around 5,000 people marched and joined the youth’s anti-corruption demonstration.

IN MANILA, youth and women’s groups staged actions at universities along Taft Avenue, Kalaw Avenue, and Quiapo.

Gabriela-NCR led a women’s protest in Carriedo, Quiapo, where they staged a noise barrage. They expressed outrage over the billions of pesos that contractors and their allied politicians pocketed from flood control projects.

“Until today, we remain submerged in floods, many still queue at politicians’ offices for paltry aid they give to those seeking hospital treatment, people still line up and take their chances at the DSWD for financial assistance, the unemployed still await TUPAD, ordinary workers still suffer from low wages, and prices of goods and utilities remain high,” the group’s chairperson Maris said.

She said change and accountability lie in the unity of women and the people, especially now that corruption in the country has drawn active attention abroad. “We have long been outraged by corruption, let us merge our anger, let us stand together in a united call to hold all those involved accountable! Down with bureaucrat capitalists!” she declared.

At Kalaw Avenue, students under the One Taft Alliance formed a human chain to express their dismay over corruption under the regime. Prior to the human chain, more than 600 students, professors, and staff of UP Manila held a walkout and local protest.

The alliance stated that the recent heavy flooding along Taft Avenue submerged Adamson University, Philippine General Hospital, UP Manila, and other areas without prior flooding experience, for the first time. “Anomalies and theft in ghost and defective flood control projects doubtlessly caused this,” it stated.

The One Taft Alliance includes students and groups from De La Salle University, UP Manila, Adamson University, Technological University of the Philippines, and Philippine Normal University.

IN CALOOCAN CITY, Bayan-Caloocan and Defend CAMANAVA led organizations and residents in a protest in front of Victory Mall at Monumento. Groups and associations from nearby areas of Caloocan including Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela also participated.

IN MUNTINLUPA CITY, groups from Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque collectively protested to express rage over the corrupt Marcos regime. They launched a picket and noise barrage at Alabang Junction.

“The time is ripe to make noise! Slam the conscience of those in power, from national to local officials! Slam the rotten system! Slam the bureaucrat capitalists!” Anakbayan-Las Piñas said.

IN TAGUIG CITY, Anakbayan Taguig, Anakbayan Pasay, and Alyansa ng Maralita sa Taguig held a protest at Minipark, Fort Bonifacio. According to them, Taguig residents are tired of the Marcos regime’s shameless deceit and plunder while the people sink deeper into a state-instigated crisis.

IN MARIKINA CITY, groups also launched protests in Fortune and Champaca Terminal, as the city suffers regular flooding during rains.

Alyansa ng mga Kabataan Kontra Korapsyon (Aksyon) spokesperson Ruben Gabas said the issue of plunder among politicians, contractors, and others involved is not simply about “greed” but is a manifestation of a rotten system rooted in bureaucrat capitalism.

“This is an outright manifestation of bureaucrat capitalism where politicians, along with their cronies such as these contractors, turn governance into a business and indulge in power and public funds,” Gabas stated. He added that while bureaucrat capitalists pocket billions, millions of Filipinos suffer from floods, lack of schools, hospitals, and housing.

Bayan-NCR hailed the successful actions of local groups in different cities of the region. “The people demand accountability for all involved in corruption under the US-Marcos regime,” it declared.

The group added that the Marcos regime should expect that protests will flood Metro Manila’s streets until the people achieve justice on the plundered funds. “All bureaucrat capitalists who run government like a business must be stopped and punished,” it stated.