ILOILO City – Three days after the “Trillion Peso March” filled Iloilo City’s streets with chants against corruption, voices from the Sept. 21 rally continue to reverberate — shifting the spotlight from the protest itself to the broader call for long-term vigilance, transparency, and accountability in government.
What began as a rain-soaked convergence of students, church leaders, workers, and community groups is evolving into a larger conversation on systemic corruption, high taxes, and political dynasties. Organizers and participants stress that the massive mobilization was “not an end but a beginning.”
“This gathering is not just a protest but a testament to our unwavering stance against corruption wreaking havoc on our society,” Archbishop Midyphil Bermejo Billones of the Archdiocese of Jaro said, underscoring the moral conscience that drove thousands into the streets.
From March to Movement
While police estimated 2,500 participants on Sunday, the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office counted between 10,000 to 15,000 marchers — one of the region’s largest public demonstrations in recent years. But leaders insist the figures matter less than the momentum it sparked.
“This is not just a one-time rally; it marks the onset of a series of mobilizations. Kita tanan ang boss, indi ang mga politiko (We are all the bosses, not the politicians),” said Dr. Kristin Treñas of Kahublagan Kontra Korapsyon, urging the public to sustain pressure on leaders.
Anger Beyond Flood Control
The so-called “floods of corruption” tied to questionable flood control projects dominated speeches, but citizens aired wider frustrations — from ballooning taxes to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
“The taxes are rising, tripling over the years. It’s heartbreaking for the middle class,” said Iloilo resident Marlon Aspiracion. “What are they doing for us in return? We voted them into office, yet all we see is a burden of high taxes, with allegations of corruption surfacing regularly.”
Monsignor Meliton Oso of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center minced no words: “Dapat presohon kag pabayron. Indi tuta, hustisya! Tanan nga corrupt, presohon kag pabayron.”
He called for a broad investigation beyond flood control, covering hospitals, schools, farm-to-market roads, and other infrastructure.
Youth and Church in Tandem
Youth organizations, many of whom spearheaded the march, said their role is to keep corruption issues alive between protests.
“From Marcos Sr. to Marcos Jr., corruption remains entrenched in our system. Our rally serves as a crucial reminder of the decisive role the Filipino people play in demanding change,” said Matt Gonzaga of Pamatan-on Kontra Korapsyon.
For church leaders, the march reinforced their advocacy to dismantle entrenched political dynasties.
“Mintras nga padayon ang political dynasty, padayon ang corruption,” said Monsignor Marco Sulayao of the Promotion of Church People’s Response.
Lingering Demands
While the banners have been rolled up and the chants have faded, Ilonggos continue to demand not only answers but reforms. Placards declared, “Filipinos deserve better” and “The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.”
Whether the Sept. 21 march will translate into policy shifts or remain a symbolic show of force now depends on how sustained the movement will be in the weeks and months ahead.
“Hindi na makatarungan ang gakatalabo subong, kag indi na kita pwede nga maghulat lang kon ano ang matabo,” one community leader warned./PN
