September 17, 2025
MANILA – Several universities nationwide expressed support in joining the September 21 anti-corruption protest, ‘A Trillion Peso March,’ to the Epifanio de los Santos (Edsa) People Power Monument in Quezon City.
The protest, organized by church leaders, was sparked by recent allegations of anomalous flood-control projects, where P1.9 trillion was reportedly spent on flood-control projects over the past 15 years.
September 21, the date of the event, also coincides with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of the country’s current president.
READ: Church leaders set ‘A Trillion Peso March’ on Edsa Sept. 21
Below are the universities and student governments that urged its constituents to participate in the mass protest:
Adamson University
- University President Fr. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, C.M. is expected to attend the protest as well, its student publication, The Adamson Chronicle reported
Arellano University
- The Arellano University Supreme Student Council backed the commencement of the anti-corruption protest through a statement in Filipino: “Participating in the Trillion Peso March is not a fight of a few. It is a call for the entire nation, especially the youth who hold the future of the country in their hands.”
Ateneo de Manila University
- The university invited all Ateneo students, faculty, staff, and alumni to join the protest, meeting at the Zen Garden, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights Campus
De La Salle University
- Lasallians are set to march from La Sale Green Hills to the EDSA People Power Monument in participation.
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
- Participating Benildeans will also join the march from LSGH to the EDSA monument.
Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC)
- ISACC was among the three universities participating in the Trillion Peso March.
Mindanao State University (MSU)
- MSU’s Marawi Supreme Student Government announced its intent to join the protest on September 21.
Miriam College-Women and Gender Institute
- Miriam College was listed among the universities expected to join the protest.
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
- “Several student councils (SC) from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) will join the Trillion Peso March against corruption,” the institute’s student publication, Ang Pamantasan said.
READ: Sept. 21 rallies against corruption set on two Metro Manila locations
In solidarity against corruption, constituents of University of St. La Salle Bacolod were encouraged to wear black or white, “to mark the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law, and uphold our commitment to truth and justice,” the university said.
Elizabeth Seton School extended support to the Trillion Peso March as well, stating it “affirms its solidarity with the Filipino people in the call to end corruption in government.”
Francis Aquino Dee, the protest’s spokesperson, is anticipating approximately 15,000 attendees at the Edsa monument led by church leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations, lawmakers, and former government officials.
On the morning of September 21, another rally will take place at Luneta Park, and some of its members are expected to also be present at the Edsa rally.
Attendees are encouraged to wear white “as a symbol of unity and hope,” Bishop Colin Bagafora said.