Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson Teddy Casiño on Saturday reminded participants of the September 21 protest actions to stay alert against groups that might exploit the anti-corruption movement for their own political battles.
Speaking at a news forum in Quezon City, the former Bayan Muna party-list lawmaker stressed that the rallies in Luneta and EDSA will zero in on corruption issues—not on ousting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. or Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Both in EDSA and Luneta [rallies], wala sa panawagan ang resignation,” Casiño clarified. While he acknowledged that such calls are “legitimate,” he warned, “Mag-ingat tayo sa mga sentimiyentong ’yan para gamitin sa ibang interes.”
Casiño said the movement’s core demand is to punish all those linked to questionable government projects. “Ikulong lahat ng mga sangkot. Wala tayong sasantuhin, whether sila ay maka-Marcos o maka-Duterte,” he declared.
Political analyst Ronald Llamas, who once served as adviser to the late President Benigno Aquino III, echoed the warning, pointing out that “other forces” could hijack the protest’s message. “‘Wag natin kalimutan na nandiyan ang mga masasamang elemento na ’yan sa gilid-gilid sa sinimulan nating magandang layunin,” he cautioned.
The demonstrations come on the heels of growing outrage online over alleged lavish lifestyles of contractors and officials, while ordinary Filipinos suffer the consequences of failed or substandard flood control projects.
Set for Sunday, September 21—the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law under Marcos’ father—the protests will converge at Luneta Park in Manila and the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
President Marcos himself acknowledged earlier in the week that if he were not head of state, he might be standing alongside protesters, saying the irregularities in flood control projects were issues he personally brought to light.
