Sept. 21 protests ‘successful demonstrations’ vs. corruption —Makati Business Club

The Makati Business Club (MBC) on Monday hailed the recent protests against corruption as “forceful and successful” demonstrations, and called for reforms, saying the norm over the past decade is no longer acceptable.

“[Y]esterday’s rallies at EDSA Shrine/ People Power Monument, and Luneta, as well as in different cities throughout the country, were forceful and successful demonstrations of the people’s disgust and indignation against systemic corruption,” it said in an emailed statement.

“The Makati Business Club is calling for reform, not the resignation or overthrow of the duty elected government. We need fundamental societal and systemic reform with change starting from each one of us,” it added.

The statement was released a day after protests across the country denounced corruption in government link to flood control projects.

To recall, the MBC—one of the civil society organizations accredited to observe the budget deliberations—earlier flagged several “serious concerns” over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget and flood control projects.

“We, in cooperation with other civil society organizations, academe and the Catholic Church, pledge to continue the struggle against corruption, by closely monitoring the 2026 national budget deliberations especially for programmed infrastructure projects, to avoid such projects being subverted to plunder,” it said.

“We believe it is possible to significantly reduce corruption by continuing to be vigilant and demanding better governance from those we have elected, and from the appointed bureaucracy. We will no longer accept what has been considered the norm over the last 10 years,” it added.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last month bared that 20% of the total P545-billion budget for flood control projects went to only 15 contractors, which he described as a “disturbing assessment.”

He also vowed to ensure that those involved in anomalous projects would be held accountable, triggering both chambers of Congress to launch their own probes into the issue.

The government has also formed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which will conduct its own investigation on the irregularities in infrastructure projects, and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

The ICI is chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Bernal Reyes Jr., and counts as members for Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, and SGV and Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo. It will also have Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser. — BM, GMA Integrated News