Youth and students from different communities and universities joined the mass gathering at Luneta on September 21. The large delegation of youth and students came after the series of protest actions and walk outs against corruption and political repression. In a statement, Kabataan Partylist Representative Renee Co said, “it’s time to make militant resistance the defining characteristic of the youth again. Dapat normal maging makabayan at ang paglingkod at pagtindig para sa kapwa aping Pilipino. Sakripisyo kung sakripisyo, makamit lang ang tunay na pagbabago. Kaya buhayin natin ang kilusang protesta at magtiwala tayo sa kapwa Pilipino”. She also emphasized that all involved government officials, whether Marcos or Duterte, should be held accountable.

During the rally, the protesters also carried humorous placards and chanted slogans with sharp criticism, targeting not only alleged corrupt officials but also the broader system that enables corruption and social injustices to persist. It highlighted the public’s frustration while making the calls for accountability more striking.

Photos by Carlo Manalansan/Bulatlat