BY DAVE SUAN ALBARADO

The province of Bohol will join today a nationwide wave of anti-corruption demonstrations on Sunday, September 21, 2025, as millions of Filipinos across the archipelago prepare to voice their outrage over a massive flood control scandal that has rocked the government of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The date carries particular historical importance, marking the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law by Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., in 1972.

In Tagbilaran City, the provincial capital, a coalition of civil society organizations, religious groups, and schools calling itself “LIHOK BOL-ANON BATOK SA KORAPSYON” (LIHOK BOL-ANON) will stage a multi-sectoral rally at Plaza Rizal under the theme “PAGPAKABANA BATOK SA KORAPSYON” (Stand Up Against Corruption).

The Bohol demonstration mirrors similar protests planned across the Philippines, including major rallies at Manila’s Rizal Park and the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, where hundreds of thousands are expected to troop to Luneta and the EDSA People Power Monument on Sunday, September 21, 2025 for two separate rallies denouncing corruption in flood control projects.

National Outrage

The protests stem from revelations of widespread corruption in the country’s flood control program, with DPWH climate-tagged flood-related projects in 2025 total PHP 848 billion, of which, by the same estimation, PHP 573 billion is vulnerable to corruption, according to environmental group Greenpeace Philippines.

The scandal has implicated dozens of government officials and private contractors. On September 3 and 4, 2025, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla signed two immigration lookout bulletin orders (ILBO) against 43 people implicated in the anomalous flood control projects, while the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday (September 11, 2025) has formally filed graft, corruption, and malversation charges against 24 government personnel and contractors.

The controversy gained national attention when DPWH Batangas 1st district engineer Abelardo Calalo was caught red-handed attempting to bribe Congressman Leandro Leviste P3.2 million as 1 percent down payment on the P3.6 billion flood control projects in his district.

BOHOL PROTEST

The Bohol protest has drawn strong support from the Catholic Church, with incoming Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy issuing a pastoral statement condemning corruption as “not just a crime against the people but also a mortal sin.”

Uy, who will lead the evening’s candle-lighting ceremony at Plaza Rizal, has characterized corruption as “a deeply-entrenched spiritual and moral problem affecting the poor and Christ himself,” extending blame beyond politicians to ordinary citizens who accept bribes or sell their votes.

The Diocese of Talibon has also announced plans for a prayer vigil at Talibon Cathedral on Sunday evening. 

Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon expressed disappointment over the scandal, noting that “corruption in government is nothing new as it has been happening for years and such actions are not pleasing to the eyes of God.”

The Bohol demonstration is being organized by “Bohol Initiatives for Good Governance” (BIGG), a newly formed civil society organization that has brought together churches, schools, and various non-governmental organizations.

In an official statement, LIHOK BOL-ANON noted that recent developments have “once again revealed troubling anomalies involving both elected and appointed officials, in connection with private individuals,” saying that “corruption remains a deeply rooted challenge.”

The group has called the protest “multi-sectoral, non-partisan, non-political and multi-dimensional,” focusing on demands for “honesty, accountability, transparency, justice, responsibility, and service above self.”

The corruption scandal has prompted local action in Bohol, with Board Member Tomas Abapo filing a proposed ordinance to establish a citizen’s watchdog group against corruption. 

The independent body would monitor project implementation, review procurement processes, and accept whistleblower reports.

The ordinance was approved on first reading and is composed of people’s organizations and non-governmental organizations insulated from political groups.

RED ALERT

Today’s scale of planned demonstrations has triggered security concerns, with planned nationwide rallies against corruption trigger AFP red alert as military and police forces prepare for potential unrest.

Several universities and student organizations across the Philippines have pledged their support for the anti-corruption protest dubbed the ‘Trillion Peso March’, while the Luneta protest is organized by students and activists, while the People Power Monument rally is organized by Catholic and Protestant leaders.

President Marcos has responded to the crisis by launching a website encouraging people to file reports on corruption and establishing an independent commission to investigate the flood control anomalies. 

Marcos said that no politicians will be appointed to the new commission as the investigative work involves a “technical exercise”.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has begun validation efforts for flood control projects completed between July 2022 and May 2025 across multiple regions, including Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

SEPTEMBER 21

The protest date (September 21) is also symbolic: it marks the 53rd anniversary of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr’s declaration of Martial Law (military rule), a turbulent period marked by repression and abuse and economic degeneration.

The choice of date adds historical weight to the demonstrations, as protesters draw parallels between past authoritarian excesses and current corruption scandals under the rule of Marcos’ son.

Bohol Rally

The Tagbilaran demonstration will begin at 3:00 PM with convergence walks from three designated assembly points: Toni’s Barbecue along V.P. Inting Street for civil society organizations, Camp Dagohoy along J.A. Clarin Street for students and youth groups, and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish along Gallares Street for religious organizations.

Participants have been asked to wear white and bring umbrellas, candles, snacks, and portable chairs for the evening program at Plaza Rizal, which will feature speeches, cultural performances, and the candle-lighting ceremony led by Archbishop-designate Uy.

The demonstration represents a historic moment for Bohol’s civil society, marking one of the largest anti-corruption protests in the province’s recent history as citizens demand accountability from both national and local officials implicated in what critics are calling one of the Philippines’ biggest corruption scandals in decades.

A press conference providing additional details about the Bohol protest was held Thursday at JJ’s Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City.