​Akbayan, the party-list that secured top place in the 2025 mid-term elections, is set to join one of the big rallies this coming weekend as Filipinos push the government to hold the guilty accountable in the massive corruption controversies of the country.

Akbayan—represented by Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña and Dadah Ismula in the House of Representatives—will join the other groups that will converge at the EDSA Shrine on Sept. 21 to stand against corruption.

With government investigations still ongoing, Akbayan said it will participate in the rally that will be held simultaneously with a big demonstration set at the Luneta Park.

"Balik EDSA Sa Sept. 21 (Return to EDSA on Sept. 21)," Akbayan lawmakers described their move, as the EDSA rally will also coincide with the commemoration of the declaration of martial law, This led to the historic People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos Sr. administration.

Akbayan said the groups chose EDSA as the venue of their protest because of its critical significance "in today’s context".

“In 1986, we gathered at Edsa to end the plunder under Martial Law. In 2001, we rose up against the corruption of the Estrada administration. In 2013, inspired by Edsa, we joined the Million People March to fight the Napoles pork barrel scam. Today, we seek to channel that same spirit once more,” Cendaña said.

Diokno, in expressing his support, says plunder is the cruelest form of robbery against the people.

“Ang kaban ng bayan ay galing sa luha at pawis ng taumbayan... Ngayon ang panahon para tayo’y tumindig at magkaisa laban sa korapsyon (Public funds came from the blood and sweat of the masses. It's now time to stand united against corruption),” he said.

Cendaña reminded the public that the massive corruption scandal cuts across administrations, including the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte. He then called on the people to be vigilant as forces, particularly those aligned with the Dutertes, are attempting to hijack the people’s legitimate anger.

He also hit what he called the “repeat plunderers” who have continuously looted the nation’s coffers with impunity.

“Nailantad na ng paulit-ulit, nakasuhan na at nakulong pa ng makailang ulit ang iba, pero tila ginawa na talaga nilang bisyo ang pagnanakaw. For the longest time, they have abused our institutions as safe havens for their corrupt practices. Tama na! (Corruption has repeatedly been exposed—some have even been charged and even jailed multiple times. Yet, it seems they have truly made it a habit. For the longest time, they have abused our institutions as safe havens for their corrupt practices. Enough is enough!) Let’s make this country unsafe and inhospitable to all plunderers, especially the repeat offenders," he added.

For her part, Ismula frowned over the rampant corruption scandal in government, and underscored its direct toll on ordinary citizens.