MANILA — Thousands of students and activists staged “Black Friday” protests across Metro Manila on September 12, calling for justice and transparency amid revelations of alleged corruption in flood control projects. The coordinated actions included walkouts, rallies, and symbolic gestures aimed at lawmakers and government officials accused of being involved.
At the gate of the Senate in Pasay City, protesters hurled eggs at tarpaulins bearing images of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, both of whom have been implicated in the controversy by a former Public Works engineer. The senators have denied the accusations.
On the campuses of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman and Manila, students walked out of classrooms in several colleges to join the protests. At UP Manila, marchers gathered at a construction site and later congregated in front of the Oblation statue, staging demonstrations of anger and frustration. Mud was thrown at poster-size images of former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — even as the President has already set up an independent commission to investigate the alleged anomalies.
The student protesters demanded accountability, calling for those allegedly responsible to be held to account. They also urged increased state funding for public education.
The University of the Philippines, in a statement, voiced its support for the protest actions. UP President Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez described the revelations as a matter of “gravest concern” and stressed that the institution “cannot stay neutral.”
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it was fully prepared for the protests, deploying over 2,000 officers to ensure order. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. noted that security measures were set up especially around major government buildings.
Reagrding the left and right protest regarding the corruption happening in the country now, an expected bigger number of rallyist will gather on September 21, 2025 at Luneta Park, Manila to call out the government for its immediate action.
