Youth groups led and launched actions in different cities and provinces from September 13 to 15 against breach of public trust and corruption. They resolutely marched to inform more youth and Filipinos of their firm opposition and denouncement of the widespread corruption and anomalies exposed under the Marcos regime.

On September 13, protests took place in Manila, Pampanga, Camarines Sur, Albay and Cebu.

In Manila, youth groups led by Kabataan Partylist (KPL) and Kalayaan Kontra Korapsyon (KKK) marched together toward the EDSA People Power Monument. Organizations affiliated with Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-National Capital Region (Bayan-NCR) also joined the protest.

They held the action at the People Power Monument to honor the strength of the people that toppled the Marcos dictatorship. “If we recall the spirit of People Power, the people have the power to bring change. We will overcome corruption,” declared KKK.

Kabataan Rep. Renee Co urged fellow youth not to let go of their anger against the corrupt government. “Remember our hunger and the floods we had to wade through,” she said.

In Pampanga, Anakbayan Pampanga and other youth groups launched a protest in Angeles City. Youth from several provinces in Central Luzon attended and joined the protest. They carried out the action despite police harassment and intimidation.

In Camarines Sur, the youth gathered at Plaza Rizal in Naga City. According to Jovenes Anakbayan Naga City, it is disheartening that politicians and bureaucrat-capitalists use every project as an opportunity to pocket public funds. They particularly condemned the Co family based in Bicol.

Farmers’ group Damayan ng mga Paraoma (DAMPA)-Camarines Sur, ACT Bicol Union, and other mass organizations joined the youth in the city protest.

In Albay, students of Bicol University marched inside the Legazpi City campus during the university’s freshman program. The students united under the call BUeños Kontra Korapsyon (BKK). “Now more than ever, society calls us to show our solidarity and display our stand,” said BKK.

In Cebu, youth groups and other sectors protested together at N. Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City. “The fight against corruption is inseparable from the fight for a just and democratic society, not the pockets of the elite,” KPL-Cebu said.

A separate action took place in Plaza Independencia in Cebu City on September 14, which was joined by other youth groups and Bayan-Central Visayas.

On September 15, more protests were held in Manila and a large demonstration was held at UP Cebu.

Hundreds of students, teachers, and staff of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)-Sta. Mesa launched the Black Monday Protest. They demanded that instead of squandering the people’s funds on corruption, the government should allocate these for education.

According to the groups, corruption becomes even more glaring with the ₱9.01 billion deficit in PUP’s budget for next year. “This is not simple negligence but part of a long history of plunder,” PUP Rise Against Corruption and Tyranny said.

In Pasig City, youth and progressive groups stormed the office of St. Gerrard Construction to condemn the billions worth of anomalous flood control projects managed by the Discaya family-owned company. They said that anomalous contracts linked to the Discayas amounted to more than ₱200 billion.

At UP Cebu, more than 1,000 students, teachers, staff and community members joined the demonstration led by UP Cebu Kilos Na. They marched from inside the campus and out to the streets to let Cebuanos know the importance of collective action against corruption under the Marcos regime.

“Every peso stolen is a life drowned. Every contract rooted in anomaly comes from the blood of the people they exploit,” the alliance declared. They emphasized in the protest that from the Marcos Sr dictatorship, to Duterte, and now to Marcos Jr, their dynasties perpetuate looting, abuse, and fascism.

The youth called for punishment and condemnation of the Marcoses and Dutertes for oppressing the Filipino masses. “Our strength is our unity. The streets are our weapon. The people’s outrage is what they fear,” UP Cebu Kilos Na stated.

Meanwhile, on September 12, students of Leyte Normal University in Tacloban City lit candles together on campus to call for immediate government action against corruption and repression. According to the organizers, the protest marked a historic moment for the university.