Naga sees 20,000 marchers in Trillion Peso corruption protest
- Bicolmail Web Admin
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
By Jason B. Neola and Paulo DS. Papa
Roughly 20,000 individuals flooded the streets of Naga City on Wednesday afternoon, October 1, 2025, for the rescheduled Trillion Peso March sa Kabikolan—a large-scale prayer rally and protest against government corruption.
The demonstration, originally set for September 25, was postponed due to the threat of Severe Tropical Storm Opong, which was forecast to make landfall in Camarines Sur.
Held under the theme “Rumpagon an Kurapsyon sa Bilog na Nasyon” (“End Corruption Across the Nation”), the event was organized by Caritas-Caceres and supported by various educational and religious institutions. Organizers extended invitations beyond Catholic schools and parishes, encouraging participation from all sectors.
Participants included students, clergy, educators, government and private sector employees, and business leaders. The massive turnout, particularly among students, was credited to the coordinated efforts of Ateneo de Naga University and other institutional partners, said Maricel Pomares, project coordinator of Caritas-Caceres.
The protest also served as a call for accountability amid allegations of large-scale misuse of public funds—specifically flood control project allocations under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Organizers cited the involvement of lawmakers, contractors, and DPWH officials in what they described as a “grave betrayal of public trust.”
The rally began at the Ateneo de Naga University campus and passed through key landmarks including the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza Quince Martires, Camarines Sur National High School, and the campuses of BISCAST and Naga College Foundation, before culminating at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Minor Basilica and National Shrine.
Rev. Fr. Marc Real, director of Caritas-Caceres and one of the lead organizers, thanked the participants and emphasized the rally’s message: a peaceful but urgent call for moral accountability among public officials.
“The faithful were not being forced to join. We were simply encouraging people to follow their conscience. This was a call for moral awakening,” Fr. Real said. He also confirmed the participation of parishioners from nearby towns and announced that the march marked the beginning of a series of church-led anti-corruption initiatives backed by the Archdiocese of Caceres.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a peaceful and orderly mobilization. PCAPT LJ Alteza, spokesperson for the Camarines Sur provincial police, said 100 members of the Kaogma Cops were on standby to support local law enforcement. PSSG Roberto Aguillon, spokesperson for the Naga City Police, confirmed that an additional 100 personnel were prepared for civil disturbance management, though their deployment was not needed.
As of this writing, no incidents of theft or other crimes were reported.
Marching and protesting on the street unfortunately will not make corruption go away. What will make corruption go away is if Congress pass a law:
Requiring companies who bid on government contracts to disclose the beneficial owner of that company. This will eliminate shadow companies who bid on multiple contracts to corner the business.
Double the budget of Sandiganbayan to make this court more efficient and remove corruption cases backlogs.
Quadruple the budget of Office of Ombudsman to hire more investigators and prosecutors to go after corrupt officials and politicians.
Double the budget of COA to hire more auditors and prosecutors and acquire more technology to detect and stop fraud and corruption.
Repealing bank secrecy law will make it easier…