Thousands of Filipinos are expected to take to the streets on Sunday, September 21, as multiple rallies unfold across Metro Manila, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law.

Protesters are expected to march from Plaza Salamanca at 6:45 a.m. to Luneta and proceed to Mendiola at noon.

The protest’s central accusation is that President Marcos has direct responsibility over billions of pesos in confidential, intelligence, and travel funds, and is at the center of what they describe as “bureaucrat capitalism” a system where public office is allegedly used for personal gain.

Joining the labor groups are various civic organizations including:

-TAMA NA (Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance)

-Panatang Luntian Coalition

-Greenpeace Philippines

-Gabriela, Partido Lakas Masa, and Makabayan Bloc

-1Sambayan and Every Woman

-Student councils from multiple universities

-Caritas Philippines and other church-based networks

-Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, SENTRO, and grassroots alliance ANIM

Organizers from these groups are calling for transparency, accountability in government contracts, and justice for communities affected by failed and “ghost” flood control projects.

Meanwhile, a separate rally in support of President Marcos will take place in the afternoon, led by the September Twenty-One People’s Movement Against Corruption (STOPCorruption!), a coalition of pro-administration civic and reform-oriented groups.

Their event, dubbed the “Pro-PBBM and Anti-Corruption Peace Rally,” will begin at 4:00 PM along Morayta and proceed toward Mendiola, echoing the route of past mass actions.

The group’s message centers on supporting Marcos’s anti-corruption campaign and calling for the prosecution of erring officials and private contractors allegedly behind botched infrastructure and flood control projects.

“This is not just about politics. This is a movement to restore faith in governance,” said Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, chairman emeritus of the Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, one of the rally’s lead organizers. “We support the President in holding accountable those who betrayed public trust.”

The peace march is also backed by groups such as:

-FDNY Movement

-Alyansa Bantay Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD)

-People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER)

-Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI)

Organizers emphasize that the rally is peaceful and patriotic, and aligns with President Marcos’s call for “clean governance” under the “Bagong Pilipinas” framework.

With thousands expected to attend both mobilizations, the Manila Police District (MPD) has announced it will deploy personnel to ensure peace and order. Authorities are also advising commuters to expect traffic disruptions in areas surrounding Rizal Park, Morayta, and Mendiola throughout the day.

Both sides have committed to non-violence and are encouraging participants to exercise discipline during the events.

September 21 remains a highly symbolic date in Philippine political history.

For many, it is a time to reflect on past abuses of power. For others, it is a rallying point for continuing democratic engagement — whether through dissent or support for the government.

While the day’s events may reflect stark differences in political perspective, they also underscore a shared demand across the spectrum: transparency, good governance, and accountability in public service.