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Gen Z power: Filipino youth activists lead march against corruption, poverty
They know their history. When Edsa Shrine, the site of ‘1986 People Power’, was declared a no-rally zone, they continued to march and asserted their civil liberties
- PUBLISHED: Thu 26 Feb 2026, 2:35 PM
They did not experience Martial Law but they were at the forefront of a massive rally commemorating the ouster of the former strongman, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (father of current Philippine President Bongbong Marcos), four decades ago.
Filipino youth activists know their history. When the government declared Edsa Shrine, the iconic site of the ‘1986 People Power’ uprising that deposed the Marcos Sr. dictatorship a “no-rally zone” on Wednesday, February 25, they showed courage and resoluteness in asserting their civil liberties. They marched against the unabated corruption in the Philippine government. They shouted: “Mula sa tuktok, lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot! (From the highest officials, everyone involved must be held accountable!) The fight against corruption and poverty continues.”
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As the police blocked their path towards Edsa Shrine, the activists, by their thousands, tried negotiating for hours, pointing out the irony of being banned from holding a demonstration. But when the police ordered the towing of the truck carrying their public address system, the protesters – 85 to 90 per cent of them were Gen Z – had enough and decided to take matters into their own hands. The activists slammed into the phalanx of shield and baton-wielding officers, sweeping them aside like puny matchsticks, clearing their way to their destination.
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They reached Edsa but that victory did not come easily. Youth activist Three Odeña and Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) Edel Parducho member were arrested. They were charged with “physical injury” by the police, an accusation being contested by PAHRA based on videos and witness accounts. They remain in jail as of Thursday morning.
Even as the protesters had already reached the shrine, the police, embarrassed by their failure, tried to arrest more activists, sparking periodic clashes while the rally was already ongoing. But the youth effectively defended their ranks until the event’s conclusion by five o’clock in the afternoon.
People Power against Marcos
Main rally organiser Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN, New Patriotic Alliance) said Wednesday’s version of People Power defeated another Marcos. BAYAN said the no rally zone declaration against the Edsa shrine protest was aimed at protecting Marcos Jr., who like his father four decades ago, is facing a massive corruption scandal himself.
The current president is being blamed for designing and signing into law Philippine national budgets full of questionable allocations and dubbed the most corrupt in history.
Roman Catholic Bishop Gerardo Alminaza underscored during the rally: “Edsa is not owned by any political party or administration. It is not even exclusive to any one generation,” giving a nod to the young majority in the crowd.
The Church leader said the Edsa Shrine is owned by the people, and events at the site should not be regarded as a simple traffic issue. Activities at the site should not be regulated like other ordinary sites, Alminaza said, explaining that the shrine is hallowed ground.
“This place became historic because this is where the people finally asserted their civil liberties — the freedom to assemble, to speak, to pray, and to demand accountability — peacefully but firmly,” Alminaza said.
“Edsa was a flood that washed away fear,” the Bishop added. And seeing a sea of young protesters fighting for people's rights forebodes well for the Philippines.