As nationwide rallies are set to unfold on September 21, members of the House Makabayan bloc asserted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not be shielded from public criticism—especially on a day that marks the grim legacy of his father’s martial law rule.
According to Inquirer.net, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, speaking at a press briefing on Thursday alongside Kabataan Rep. Renee Co and Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, questioned why anyone would discourage protesters from calling out the President.
“September 21 marks the declaration of martial law under the Marcos dictatorship—one of the darkest and most corrupt chapters in our history,” Tinio emphasized.
He expressed confusion over social media chatter urging demonstrators to spare the President during the planned rallies focused on government corruption. “It’s absurd to ask people to stay silent about Marcos on this exact date,” Tinio said.
While he acknowledged that no direct evidence currently links Marcos Jr. to the controversial infrastructure and flood control anomalies, Tinio said it is important to raise the issue of command responsibility. “We’re not calling for his resignation. But it’s fair to point out who ultimately oversees these agencies and officials,” he explained.
Rallies on Sunday are expected to draw large crowds to both Luneta and the EDSA People Power Monument. The protest actions are fueled by recent revelations of widespread corruption in flood control projects, which President Marcos himself has condemned.
In his recent State of the Nation Address, Marcos criticized officials and contractors profiting from flawed or nonexistent projects, declaring they should be ashamed. He later inspected some of these so-called completed projects, only to find poor workmanship—or no work done at all.
The movement, however, faces tension from factions seeking the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Rally organizers have since clarified that their actions are not driven by any desire to unseat Marcos or reinstall Duterte.
