THOUSANDS BRAVE HEAVY DOWNPOURS AT LIWASANG BONIFACIO FOR UPI-LED INTERFAITH ANTI-CORRUPTION RALLY

Photo: Romeo V Poquiz

Thousands of demonstrators converged at the historic Liwasang Bonifacio freedom park on Friday, July 10, 2026, launching a massive mobilization dubbed the "Interfaith Rally Against Corruption" to demand immediate accountability over alleged multi-billion-peso government fund anomalies.

Organized by the United People's Initiative (UPI), a broad coalition spearheaded by retired military, police, and uniformed service personnel, the assembly drew a diverse crowd of religious leaders, civic groups, and ordinary citizens.

Rising Demands for Fiscal Accountability

The rally’s core objective centered on systemic corruption, with speakers focusing heavily on the scrutinized multi-billion-peso allocations for national flood control projects.

Retired Air Force Major General Romeo Poquiz, founder of the UPI, led the program by demanding a transparent investigation into state spending. Addressing the crowd, organizers explicitly called on public officials implicated in financial irregularities to yield to independent probes and return stolen public funds.

Placards and banners raised across the plaza directly criticized the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and key legislative leaders, calling out perceived governance failures and economic mismanagement.

Despite the sharp political undertones, UPI organizers maintained that the movement remains inclusive. They stressed that the initiative transcends traditional political colors, welcoming participants across all sectors, religious denominations, and ideologies.

Operational Logistics and Community Support

The demonstration commenced in the early afternoon, operating under a public assembly permit valid until 11:00 PM.

The gathering faced immediate logistical hurdles as heavy, intermittent downpours drenched the capital throughout the day. However, the crowd held its ground. To sustain the demonstrators, a community kitchen operation was established on-site. Among the provisions was a dedicated "palugaw" (rice porridge) food truck backed by former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, which distributed hot meals to thousands of rain-soaked attendees.

Security forces maintained a heavy, visible presence. The Manila Police District (MPD) deployed large contingents around the perimeter of Liwasang Bonifacio and surrounding bridges to secure the freedom park and prevent civil unrest. Concurrently, medical teams from the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department were stationed on standby to respond to heat exhaustion or weather-related health emergencies.

Severe Gridlock Hits Manila's Road Networks

The scale of the mass action triggered widespread logistical disruptions across the city's transport lines. To manage the influx of protesters and ensure public safety, the Manila Local Government Unit enforced sweeping road closures starting at 2:00 PM, resulting in severe gridlock during the Friday afternoon rush hour:

• Magallanes Drive: Completely closed to all vehicular traffic from Jones Bridge to MacArthur Bridge.
• MacArthur Bridge: The entire southbound lane heading toward Liwasang Bonifacio was shut down.
• Quezon Boulevard and Bridge: Southbound lanes were blocked starting from the intersection of A. Mendoza and Fugoso Streets, restricting access toward Quezon Bridge.
• Lerma Street: The southbound lane was entirely closed from España Boulevard to A. Mendoza Boulevard, forcing massive vehicle diversions toward alternative routes.

The rally concluded late Friday evening as organizers vowed to expand their anti-corruption campaign to provincial areas in the coming weeks.