‘Trillion Peso’ March returns as corruption fury boils

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing for large-scale protests with the deployment of about 11,500 personnel for the upcoming Trillion Peso March and related activities in Metro Manila on 22 and 25 February 2026.

The prayer and indignation rallies are expected to draw around 50,000 participants amid renewed public anger over corruption allegations hounding the Marcos administration — most notably claims tied to irregularities in flood control projects funded by billions of pesos in public money.

The Trillion Peso March has emerged as a rallying cry against the alleged misuse of state funds, particularly for flood control projects that critics say either remain unfinished or exist only on paper.

The protest movement gained traction last year with mass actions held at symbolic sites such as Rizal Park, the EDSA Shrine, and the People Power Monument, where turnout during major demonstrations was estimated to range in the tens of thousands.

Fresh controversy has intensified public outrage following accusations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allegedly received P8 billion in kickbacks linked to flood control projects — an allegation Malacañang has denied.

The issue has further polarized public opinion after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee recently cleared former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of culpability in the same scandal.

The latest protest action will coincide with the approaching 40th anniversary of the historic People Power Revolution, which ousted the President’s father and sent the Marcos family into exile.

Against this backdrop, the PNP said it is focused on ensuring public safety while allowing citizens to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

“It is our duty to ensure that every Filipino has the freedom to express themselves and assemble peacefully — safely and without fear,” PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said, as he called for cooperation with law enforcement.

Security operations will be carried out, with the largest deployments coming from the Quezon City Police District, Manila Police District, Southern Police District, Northern Police District, and Eastern Police District.

These will be reinforced by personnel from regional headquarters, intelligence units, mobile force battalions, and the Special Action Force, along with communications, traffic, bomb disposal, canine and medical units.

The PNP said a coordination conference will be held next week to finalize operational plans and permit processing with rally organizers.