Undeterred by the heavy downpour, thousands of students from the University of Santo Tomas and the Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila walked out of their classes on Monday, Sept. 29, to protest against the widespread corruption in government.

The FEU students participated in the "Tamaraws, Unite! Walkout For Our Rights!" protest along Nicanor Reyes Street in Manila.

In a statement, various University Student Organizations (USOs) and UST labor groups said students joined the walkout protest at 3 p.m. and gathered at the Arch of the Centuries at 4 p.m.

to demand for accountability for the rampant corruption, particularly in flood control projects and other infrastructure projects.

The protest began gathering momentum as early as late morning, with the crowd swelling in front of FEU Gate 4 by 11:54 a.m.

Students braved the rain with umbrellas, banners, and chants as they aired their frustrations and demands toward the university administration and the national government.

Organized by student councils and progressive youth organizations, the walkout called for an end to FEU’s current blended learning setup, which they say remains inaccessible and inconsistent for many students.

Protesters also denounced the rising cost of tuition and miscellaneous fees, demanding transparency in the university's financial policies.

Beyond campus issues, the protest also served as a platform to condemn corruption, police brutality, and attacks on democratic rights in the Philippines.

Organizers emphasized that the event is part of a broader movement uniting youth across different schools to speak out against systemic injustices.

“This walkout is not just about our own struggles inside the university; it’s also about showing solidarity with other students and sectors fighting for genuine change,” one student leader said during the program.

The protest remained peaceful as student marshals coordinated with security personnel to maintain order.

Some classes were suspended or left unattended as faculty members allowed students to participate.

"We, the undersigned University Student Organizations (USO) of the University of Santo Tomas, stand united with the greater Thomasian community in the Thomasian Student Walkout Against Corruption. As students and leaders of our organizations, we answer the call to oppose corruption in all its forms and to demand accountability from those entrusted with power. Corruption is a moral crisis that steals from classrooms, communities, and our very advocacies; it erodes public trust and undermines the dignity of every Filipino. When public funds are plundered and lives are at risk, silence becomes complicity. At this crucial moment, we are called to embody competence in discerning truth, commitment in taking action, and compassion for the Filipino people most affected by systemic injustice," the USOs said.