Marcos urged to jail flood scam 'big fish'

On the second installment of the Trillion Peso March yesterday, protesters dared President Marcos to jail the “big fish” before Christmas or risk losing his political capital ahead of the 2028 general elections.

- MARK ERNEST VILLEZA and EMMANUEL TUPAS

Around 4,000 people gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City yesterday, coinciding with the commemoration of Andres Bonifacio’s birth anniversary, braving heavy rain as they called for transparency and accountability amid the widening flood control scandal.

The “Trillion Peso March 2.0,” backed by 86 dioceses nationwide, drew lawmakers, church leaders, artists, civil society groups and thousands of ordinary Filipinos demanding swift action on alleged multibillion-peso irregularities in public works spending.

Akbayan president Rafaela David said the administration should move beyond statements and target major personalities linked to alleged plunder cases.

“Enough with press conferences and announcements. Enough with filing cases only against small offenders,” David said, adding that authorities should "charge, arrest and jail the big fish." If the administration failed to act within the coming weeks, David said Marcos "will have buried his own political future." Akbayan also urged Marcos to certify the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill as urgent, calling it a strong response to public anger over corruption and political monopoly.

Co-convenor Kiko Aquino Dee laid out five calls to government: transparency, prosecuting those involved, recovering stolen funds, honoring the Constitution, and "putting the nation first" by fighting corruption and political dynasties.

The public should expect the arrest of high-profile personalities implicated in flood control corruption very soon, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.