Hundreds of demonstrators trooped to Mendiola in Manila to air their frustration over the widespread corruption in government offices, particularly in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Despite the scorching sun and intense heat, 52-year-old Jun Zuaño and his family from Fairview, Quezon City went to the Mendiola Peace Arch to join the rally of various groups to demand accountability from the current administration following the discovery of rampant corruption in the country's flood control projects.

"Nakakasawa na yung ganitong nagpapakahirap kami sa pagkayod araw araw tapos binubulsa din pala nila yung pera ng bayan araw araw. Yung lugar ho namin hindi naman binabaha noon pero ngayon mala-ilog na po agad konting ulan lang. Napapanood namin sa TV at sa Facebook yung mga proyektong binibida nila pero wala namang natutupad, nganga lang talaga (It's burdensome to us who are struggling every day and then these people will only pocket the people's money. Our area used to never flood, but now it's like a river with just a little rain. We watch the projects they are promoting on TV and Facebook but nothing is being implemented, it's just a joke)," he said.

"Noong una ayoko sumama sa mga gantong pagkilos, pero sobra na po kasi eh hindi na talaga makatao. Kawawa ho itong mga anak ko kasi future po nila nakasalalay dito eh, hindi naman sa amin ng asawa ko. Sila po ang sasalo ng hirap at pasakit na dinudulot ng mga korap na opisyales na ito (At first I didn't want to join these rallies, but it's already too much and what the corrupt officials are doing is really inhumane. I pity my children because their future depends on this, not mine and my wife. They will bear the burden caused by these corrupt officials)," he added.

Nicole, another protester from Sampaloc, slammed the Marcos administration for allegedly "keeping a blind eye" on its officials who are involved in corruption.

"They're just making a fool out of the people. Sila sila nag-iimbestiga sa mga allegations ng corruption and yet they are the ones involved din pala. Parang mga wala na silang hiya talaga. Actually hindi na nga sila tao sa mga pinaggagawa nila eh. Nilulustay nila ang pera ng taumbayan para sa mga luho at bisyo nila while the people are dying because of their negligence (They're just making a fool out of the people. They are the ones investigating allegations of corruption and yet they are the ones involved. It seems like they have no shame at all. Actually they are no longer human in what they are doing. They are wasting the people's money for their luxuries and vices while the people are dying because of their negligence)," Nicole said.

"My parents initially prevented me from attending these demonstrations, but they themselves can't swallow the lies these corrupt officials are telling the people kaya pinayagan na din nila ako eventually. Actually nasa EDSA rally na sila ngayon (My parents initially prevented me from attending these demonstrations, but they themselves can't swallow the lies these corrupt officials are telling the people so they allowed me to come here eventually. Actually they are now attending the rally at EDSA today)," she added.

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has estimated over 50,000 individuals at the Luneta Park as of 11 a.m. for the anti-corruption rally.

Meanwhile, over 20,000 individuals have gathered in different parts of the city as of 11 a.m.:

Museong Pambata- 2,120

Mendiola- 400

Round Table- 8,300

Postal Bank - 90

Kalaw corner Maria Orosa - 260

NPC Center Island- 20

DMB Center Island - no data available

Plaza Guerrero- 200

Katigbak - 10,000