Philippine Nationwide Sept 21 Anti-Corruption Rallies Demand Transparency

On September 21, 2025, a massive nationwide rally against government corruption, focusing on abuses in flood control projects, will take place across the Philippines, including in Manila, Iloilo City, and Benguet. The Teachers Dignity Coalition highlights the unaddressed call for a salary increase for public school teachers amid a national budget that prioritizes the Department of Public Works and Highways over education, exacerbating resource misallocation and enabling corrupt practices. Protesters and civic groups point to widespread government infrastructure corruption, with billions allocated to flood control and major projects like flyovers that remain unfinished or defective, causing economic losses and community displacement. Key figures such as Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas support the protests, emphasizing demands for transparency, accountability, and good governance beyond partisan politics. The movement, politically independent and backed by over 200 organizations including religious and civil society groups, demands investigations, prosecution of corrupt officials, and greater oversight through mechanisms like the Independent Infrastructure Commission. The protest date marks the 53rd anniversary of martial law declaration, symbolically linking the fight against corruption with broader historical struggles for justice and reform in the country.