Anti-corruption groups and advocates flocked Liwasang Bonifacio on Monday, recalling the historic peoples’ resistance to the Marcos Sr. dictatorship, as well as denouncing the corruption scandals that happened under the Marcos Jr. administration.

MANILA — Are they already reaping the results of their scheme to rewrite history?

This was the question raised by multi-awarded filmmaker and playwright Bonifacio “Boni” Ilagan during a protest action on Monday, September 21, to commemorate the 54th year of the declaration of Martial Law. He recalled the response of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2023 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the president said that someone has to enter politics to defend the Marcoses.

Ilagan related the president’s remarks to the recent development of the case of former first lady Imelda Marcos after the Supreme Court (SC) has reversed the convictions in seven graft cases against her—a decision assailed by Martial Law survivors. “This should be remembered on the 54th anniversary of the darkest chapter of our history,” he said in Filipino.

Multi-awarded filmmaker and playwright Bonifacio “Boni” Ilagan delivers his speech during a protest action at Liwasang Bonifacio to commemorate the 54th year of the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 2026. Photo by Franck Dick Rosete/Bulatlat

Read: Martial law survivors enraged by SC’s reversal of Imelda Marcos graft conviction

Anti-corruption groups and advocates flocked Liwasang Bonifacio on Monday, recalling the historic peoples’ resistance to the Marcos Sr. dictatorship, as well as denouncing the corruption scandals that happened under the Marcos Jr. administration. It also served as commemoration to the brutal September 21 protest last year over the flood control mess.

Representatives from various sectors joined the protest action, exposing realities from the ground that were comparable to the Martial Law era. They highlighted their calls to hold accountable all high-ranking officials implicated in corruption scandals, to address the skyrocketing prices of basic goods and petroleum products, and to stop the Marcos Jr. administration’s subservience to the United States (U.S.) interests, to name a few.

Clarice Palce of women’s alliance Gabriela, Mody Floranda of transport group Piston, and Mary Ann Castillo of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno deliver their speeches during a protest action at Liwasang Bonifacio to commemorate the 54th year of the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 2026. Photo by Franck Dick Rosete/Bulatlat

“Marcos Jr is literally following in his father’s footsteps. Beyond corruption, his government continues to employ red-tagging, harassment, and other fascist measures against social activists and political dissenters,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said in a statement.

Cultural artists also expressed their calls and solidarity through performances.

The Sinagbayan Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) performs during a protest action at Liwasang Bonifacio to commemorate the 54th year of the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 2026. Photo by Franck Dick Rosete/Bulatlat

After the program launched at Liwasang Bonifacio, protest participants marched to Mendiola—where many police personnel were on standby—to continue the picket, stressing their continuing demand for accountability over the flood control scandal.

“Is it enough that some politicians have been arrested?” Joaquin Buenaflor, national convenor of Youth Rage Against Corruption, asked in Filipino. “Is the fight over just because Martin Romualdez is in jail?”

There were high-ranking elected government officials arrested because of their alleged participation in the anomalous flood control projects, including former Sen. Ramon Revilla, incumbent Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

But advocates were of the belief that Marcos Jr. is involved in the country’s so-called largest corruption scandal, given the video statement released by former Ako Bicol Party-list representative and House appropriations committee chairperson Zaldy Co.

Read:‘Selective prosecution’ in Marcos Jr. anti-corruption probe?

Buenaflor stressed that despite the ouster of Marcos Sr., impunity, corruption, and the absence of accountability continue.

Arnold Padilla, secretary-general of the anti-imperialist group International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS) Philippines, reminded the public that the U.S. should be held accountable for repression and plunder against Filipinos. “We do not forget that Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law with the blessing of the United States to maintain its military bases.”

The U.S. intervention, Padilla added, continues in the face of the continuing military cooperation agreements between the US and Philippine governments and the recent executive order issued by Marcos Jr. to establish a policy framework for developing the critical minerals industry, which, according to concerned groups, has linked to the US-led Pax Silica initiative that aims to establish a 1,600-hectare industrial hub in New Clark City in Tarlac.

The groups maintained that the Filipino people will continue to resist the new forms of repression and exploitation under the Marcos Jr. administration.

In his closing speech, Bayan Secretary General Raymond Palatino paid tribute  to the farmers, youth, workers, and Martial Law survivors who fought the dictatorship. (RVO)

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