On Bonifacio Day, protesters participating in the “Baha sa Luneta 2.0: Trillion Peso March” are set to destroy the effigies of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte in the afternoon at Mendiola, as part of their symbolic protest against alleged large-scale corruption in government.

A short program in Luneta wrapped up around noon, where thousands gathered despite the intense midday heat. The rally drew a crowd of around 3,000 as of 11:00 a.m., according to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

From there, contingents from various groups will march toward Mendiola, while others are set to proceed to EDSA.

RH Jecelle Ricafort reports that during the gathering at Luneta, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) emphasized that no investigation has been launched that directly probes the President, four months after what they describe as revelations of massive corruption in government agencies.

The group questioned whether there was a deliberate effort to shield the President, noting that he approved the national budget linked to the alleged anomalies.

BAYAN cited the ongoing inquiries by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Office of the Ombudsman into irregularities in flood control projects, but stressed these have yet to hold top officials accountable.

“Ang mensahe na kailangan nang baguhin ang sistema ng bulok na pamamahala sa ating bansa. Ang gusto yata ng mga ito business as usual, kurakot as usual, papayag ba tayo d’yan? Kaya hindi tayo magpapa-intimidate sa mga kapulisan. Hindi tayo matatakot na i-exercise ang ating mga kalayaan. Nasa Konstitusyon ’yan,” a BAYAN speaker told the crowd.

“Pwede tayong magtipon at magpahayag ng payapa dito sa Luneta. At walang makakapigil sa atin,” he added.

By late morning, Luneta had filled with protesters carrying placards and banners, calling for accountability and reforms as they prepared for the afternoon march to Mendiola, where the effigy destruction is expected to take place.