Here’s everything you need to know about the September 21 protests

Following congressional hearings that exposed corruption in flood control projects, many Filipinos have banded together to call for accountability for those responsible.

There will be two main protests to be conducted in Metro Manila on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Organized by students and activist groups, “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon” will begin at 9 a.m. at Rizal Park, Manila.

By 2 p.m., the “Trillion Peso March” will be held at the EDSA People Power Monument.

The demonstration will be led by church leaders, with support from civil society and youth organizations. 

The 2 p.m. march is expected to attract 30,000 people.

Hakbang ng Maisug, a group sympathetic to the Dutertes, organized the “Save the Philippines” protest at Liwasang Bonifacio, which will begin at 1 p.m.

Retired military personnel will also hold a protest outside Camp Aguinaldo starting at 7 a.m.

Outside Metro Manila

Several protests will also be held outside Metro Manila.

The “Pray for the Philippines” march will begin at the Rizal Park in Davao City at 3 p.m.

The march was organized by supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte as they pray for his return after being detained at the International Criminal Court in relation to his war on drugs.

A demonstration will also take place at Plaza Independencia in Cebu City, while a march will happen at Jaro Plaza to the provincial capitol in Iloilo City.

EDSA Shrine

EDSA Shrine has said that they will continue their regular mass schedules amid the protest.

On Sunday, the shrine will hold masses at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.

Protesters are not allowed at the Promenade, but may wait at the Shrine grounds.

They are also prohibited from shouting slogans and protests inside the church and shrine premises, but banners and tarpaulins were allowed provided it is not waved inside the church.

Both the adoration chapel at the EDSA side of the shrine and the shrine office will be temporarily closed.

Free rides

To help supporters join both rallies, transport group Manibela has offered free rides on Sunday.

Free rides to Luneta Park will be offered from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., while rides to EDSA Shrine will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Departure times will begin at 5 a.m. within NCR, and at 4 a.m. from outside NCR.

Vehicles offering free rides will have placards bearing “All Roads Lead to Luneta” and the words “Libreng Sakay” on their windshields.

Pick-up points are as follows:

Quezon City

-              SM Fairview/Robinsons Novaliches

-              Shell Villafloor Novaliches

-              Ayala Malls Balintawak (Along A. Bonifacio Avenue)

-              Commonwealth Avenue Litex

-              Commonwealth Avenue PhilCoa

-              Welcome Rotonda

-              Muñoz Market

-              LRT-2 Araneta-Cubao Station

Valenzuela City

-              Valenzuela City People’s Park

-              SM City Valenzuela

Marikina City

-              Ayala Malls Feliz

-              Marikina Bayan Sports Complex (Palengke)

City of Manila

-              Blumentritt Palengke

-              Juan Luna St., Divisoria

-              Punta Tulay

-              7-11 San Andres Bukid

Muntinlupa City

-              Alabang Starmall

-              Alabang Barangay Hall

San Juan City

-              San Juan-Divisoria Jeepney Terminal

Caloocan City

-              LRT-1 Monumento Station

-              Sto. Niño de Bagong Silang Parish Church

Las Piñas City

-              Along Zapote Road

Pasay City

-              Pinagbarilan, Malibay

Parañaque City

-              Jollibee MIA Road (in front of LRT-1 MIA Road Station)

-              SM Bicutan

-              SM Sucat

Navotas City

-              Old C-4 Bus Terminal Complex

Pasig City

-              Pasig Palengke

-              Rosario Jeepney Terminal

Outside NCR

-              Carmona Terminal

-              Biñan Terminal

-              Gen. Mariano Alvarez Terminal

-              SM City Dasmariñas

-              Zapote Road, Bacoor

-              Santa Rosa Balibago Terminal

-              Puregold Cabuyao

-              Calamba Terminal

-              Angono Jeepney Terminal

-              Binangonan Jeepney Terminal

-              Kapitolyo, Antipolo City

Weather outlook

According to PAGASA's 24-hour weather forecast issued on Saturday afternoon, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to Typhoon Nando while the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will affect Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Safety advisories

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has said 50,000 cops nationwide have been deployed, in close coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other government agencies, for the security effort.

For its part, the AFP earlier said the military has been on red alert since September 12 to ensure readiness amid the rallies and to support the PNP in maintaining peace and order. 

The PNP said that “no threats” have been detected so far.

Still, Australia on Saturday warned its citizens in the Philippines against "an increased risk of demonstrations and civil unrest" ahead of the September 21 rallies.

"Avoid upcoming protests and large gatherings as they may turn violent without warning, including planned protests on 21 September in Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila and People Power Monument, EDSA, Quezon City," the advisory read.

Australia's statement comes a day after the United States Embassy in Manila urged Americans in the Philippines to avoid sites of anti-corruption rallies on September 21 also "due to the potential for violence."

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will implement a temporary restricted area over Rizal Park (Luneta) and the EDSA Shrine from 6 a.m. on September 21, until 6 a.m. on September 22.

"All aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are prohibited from flying within a 15-nautical mile radius of the center of these locations, from the surface up to 10,000 feet," CAAP said.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said that they are also preparing free rides to aid affected public transportation and commuters during the protests and strikes.

They said they are also in coordination with PNP on traffic and safety management throughout the rallies.

Essentials

Organizers have reminded the public not to forget the following protest essentials:

-              Extra clothes and hand towels/handkerchief

-              Water (enough to last throughout the protest)

-              Valid ID with visible emergency contact

-              Face mask

-              Cap or hat

-              Light jacket or poncho (for rains)

-              Snacks and candy

-              First aid essentials and personal medicine

-              Trash bag

-              Any identifying marks for your specific group/organization

—VBL, GMA Integrated News