At least 12,000 Filipinos, mostly youth, joined progressive and democratic sectors at the EDSA Shrine at the corner of Ortigas Avenue on February 25 to protest while marking the 40th EDSA Uprising anniversary. The united call of workers, peasants, urban poor residents, youth, women, church people, teachers, employees, and others: “Continue the Fight against Corruption and Poverty! Hold Everyone Involved Accountable!”

Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (KBKK, or People’s Anti-Corruption Movement), Youth Rage Against Corruption, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Artikulo XI, Bunyog Pagkakaisa, Sanlakas, and other groups and parties joined forces in the protest. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, president of Caritas Philippines and chairperson of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Social Action, also joined and attended the gathering, along with martial law veteran Sr. Mary John Mananzan of Movement Against Tyranny (MAT), and legislators Rep. Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal and Makabayan Bloc representatives.

The groups asserted their right to protest when hundreds of police blocked them before they could reach EDSA-Ortigas. Led by the youth, protesters squeezed through and pushed forward to get closer to the EDSA Shrine where the program was eventually held. Because police blocked the entry of and confiscated the truck that would have serve as the stage, the protesters brought in speakers and microphones for the program.

More than 150 organizations and 400 individuals signed the united statement the organizers prepared for the protest day. The statement said the action was “an affirmation of People Power I at EDSA and in other parts of the country which proved that unity is the people’s weapon to restore democratic institutions (no matter how limited) and to try to attain a more decent life for all.”

However, the statement said that even after 40 years, the succeeding administrations failed to lift all the people out of poverty and to end the corrupt system ruled by dynasties and giant corporations. It said prices of goods remain high while the incomes of workers, peasants, and small businesses remain low. “Only a few families and corporations benefit from the economic growth the government boasts of,” it added.

The statement further said that these efforts and the steps being taken to hold those involved accountable remain insufficient amid exposed systemic corruption in the country. “The masterminds are still not being investigated and arrested. Corruption continues in 2026 because billions of pesos in pork barrel-style allocables, insertions, and unprogrammed funds remain in the National Budget,” the statement said.

The groups and individuals who signed the statement collectively declared: “We’ve had enough of the excessive system running the government for profit! Let us collectively continue the fight against corruption and poverty and for truth, justice, and accountability!”

Calls rang out at the protest to hold Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte accountable and remove them from office for their involvement in systemic corruption. Different sectors also shouted their particular economic and political demands.

Police meanwhile arrested two protesters during the action. Human rights groups called for their immediate release.

Refusal to unite

Along another segment of EDSA, groups under the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPMM) held a separate action. Several thousands also gathered at the group’s activity at the People Power Monument, where prominent TPMM figure Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David attended.

TPMM’s action was separate because some of its groups and political parties refused a united program. Groups formed the EDSA@40 Committee in an effort to unify the commemoration as urged by Caritas Philippines Bishop Alminaza. That effort failed anew because of major differences and positions of some from TPMM, especially SIKLAB, Tindig Pilipinas, and Akbayan Partylist.

These groups refused to join the EDSA@40 Committee’s action for their allegations that some committee groups are pushing for unconstitutional and violent actions such as a military junta and a revolutionary government. TPMM also particularly avoided calls for resignation, impeachment, and accountability for Marcos because these would allegedly benefit Duterte.

Bayan chairperson Teddy Casiño said the refusal to unify prevailed despite efforts to explain and correct TPMM’s wrong views and information. Casiño said the spirit of EDSA nevertheless still rests in the people’s collective action.

Other actions

Apart from the EDSA protest, actions were also held in the provinces. Prominent out among these were the thousands who mobilized in Baguio City, Iloilo City, and Bacolod City.

Protests and activities were also held in Dagupan City in Pangasinan, Angeles City in Pampanga, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Santiago City in Isabela, Naga City in Camarines Sur, Legaspi City in Albay, Kalibo in Aklan, Roxas City in Capiz, in Antique, Tacloban City in Leyte, Cebu City, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, and in Davao City. Meanwhile, the Catholic church also reported the commemoration participation of almost 90 dioceses across the country.