Street demonstrations, speeches, and other key moments in the Nov. 30 anti-corruption rallies
This Nov. 30, the Philippines celebrates the birth anniversary of national hero Andrés Bonifacio, who was pivotal in fighting against the Spanish oppression. Now, it appears that Filipinos are invoking his spirit of resistance as they take a stand against corruption in the Nov. 30 rallies.
Thousands of protesters gathered at EDSA for the Trillion Peso March and Luneta Park for the Baha sa Luneta 2.0 rally to raise their voice against the corruption involving the government's flood control projects, which have lost over a trillion pesos since 2023.
Key political leaders and celebrities also took the stage, delivering speeches that underscored the urgency of restoring public trust in government systems.
How many people attended
According to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the number of people who have gathered at Luneta Park reached 3,000 as of 11:00 a.m.
To ensure peace and order, more than 17,000 police officers were deployed for security perimeters and crowd control around the two protest sites.
Celebrities and key personalities who joined the rally
Several influential individuals took some time off from their busy schedules to show solidarity with the movement.
Among them is Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, who came to the rally together with his daughter Frankie and ML party-list Rep. Leila De Lima.
"Tangan ang diwa ng Katipunan, punitin natin ang sedula ng korapsyon. Kailangang manindigan, kumilos, lumabas dahil ang pinakamainam na pangsangga sa pang-aabuso ay ang taumbayang nananagawan, naninindigan, kumikilos," he wrote in his post.
"Dapat tuloy-tuloy ito hanggang mapanagot ang mga dapat managot sa nangyaring pinakamatinding pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan," he added.
Also in attendance is fellow Sen. Bam Aquino, who joined his fellow protesters in marching in the streets.
"Ngayong Bonifacio Day, inaalala natin ang tapang at malasakit ni Gat Andres Bonifacio para sa bayan. Bitbit ang kanyang ipinaglaban, patuloy tayong titindig para sa katotohanan at para sa taumbayan," he wrote on Facebook.
Famous faces in the showbiz industry were also not afraid to voice out their rage. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray took to the stage to urge the public to remain vigilant and engaged.
"Billions of pesos disappear without accountability, without justice, without answers. But what scares me the most is this: Many are starting to forget why we are angry. People have gone silent, not because they do not care, but because they have lost the belief that change will ever come. And while our nation grows exhausted, our leaders remain silent. Sobrang tahimik," she said.
"Bakit tayo pumapayag? Why do we allow this to happen to us again and again? When are we going to wake up? What more do we need? Ilang baha pa? Ilang scandal pa? Ilang nakaw ng pondo pa? Before we finally say, tama na!" she continued.
She also expressed her disapproval that the Filipino spirit is "weak."
"Sinasabi nila, Filipinos have a short memory, that it's easy for us to forget and forgive. But believe us when we say, we will not forget what you did, and walang magmo-move on hangga't walang nananagot. We are the generation that will not let corruption win," Gray stressed.
Veteran actress Carmi Martin also delivered a passionate speech to rally the crowd.
"Ang hiling ko lang sa ating lahat na nandito tayo at napaka-init po, 'yung isama na po natin sa ating dasal ang ating bayan dahil yung panggigigil po natin kahit ako sumasama doon. Dahil nakikita ko 'yung mga binabaha, 'yung mga walang bahay, pagkatapos nagpapakasasa itong mga nasa gobyerno," she said.
Kapag nag-aartista kami, hindi kami pwedeng magsabi na pwede bang huwag na kaming kaltasan ng tax. Kinukuha po 'yung tax namin, pagkatapos ninanakaw lang at napakasakit po sa amin noon. Lahat tayo nagbabayad ng VAT," she added.
Other rallies
The protests aren't just happening at EDSA and Luneta Park. Rallyists have also gathered at Fuente Osmeña Circle in Cebu City to start the initial activities of Buhagay sa Kasuko, the Day of Action Against Corruption protest, per The Philippine STAR.
In the photos, effigies depicting alleged corrupt officials were burned, while other participants waved banners and chanted slogans calling for transparency and accountability.
The event is part of ongoing efforts against corruption, with more activities planned throughout the day as participants call for action.
Aside from this, protesters in Recto, Manila showcased a crocodile effigy as they marched toward Mendiola. Dubbed as the "Buwayang Dalawahan – The Marcos–Duterte Bureaucrat-Capitalist Monster," the figure represents President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.