Numerous Filipino celebrities walked the talk and joined nationwide anti-corruption protests, standing with the Filipino people in demanding transparency and accountability.
Photo: Basbox TV via Dingdong Dantes/Instagram and Angat Buhay/Facebook
These mass demonstrations, held on September 21, called out ghost infrastructure projects, misuse of public funds, and other forms of government corruption. It also marked the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 under Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Here are the Filipino celebrities who took to the streets to protest:
Vice Ganda
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Vice Ganda, along with It’s Showtime hosts Anne Curtis-Smith, Jackie Gonzaga, Darren Espanto, and husband Ion Perez, joined the Angat Bayanihan Volunteer Network at the Trillion Peso March in Quezon City.
In her speech, the popular television personality said that being silent and kind is no longer enough, and the public must continue demanding accountability until these corrupt officials are held responsible.
“Hindi pwede ‘yung mabait ka lang, mabuting asal ka. Hindi uubra sa kanila ang mabuting asal at mabait lang, kasi nga mga demonyo sila… Hindi tayong pwede magalit lang ngayon. Kailangan hanggang bukas. Kailangan sa susunod na linggo. Kailangan sa susunod na buwan. Hanggang umabot ng ilang taon. Hangga’t hindi sila nauubos (It’s not enough to just be nice or well-mannered. Good manners and kindness won’t work on them because they’re demons… We can’t just be angry today. We need to stay angry tomorrow, next week, next month, even for years, until they are gone),” she said.
“Tapos na ang panahon na natatakot tayo sa gobyerno. Takutin natin ang gobyerno dahil ang kapangyarihan nasa sa atin, wala sa kanila. Nakatingin kami sa inyo, ipakulong lahat, lahat ipakulong (The time when we were afraid of the government is over. Let’s make the government afraid of us, because the power is with us, not with them. We are watching you. Jail them all, jail every single one of them),” she firmly stated.
Catriona Gray
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Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray brought her advocacy to the streets as she urged government officials to “clean up” the corrupt.
“We wear no colours – we stand together united for our nation. We pay our taxes. And as responsible, law-abiding, tax-paying citizens, we DESERVE to know (and see) that our taxes are going towards the betterment of our nation,” she wrote.
“We will not be satisfied with theatrics, or empty promises. Tama na acting (Stop acting)!! All of our eyes are on our leaders. How you handle your positions – we will be watching and demanding good and fair governance. We demand accountability! We call on our leaders to CLEAN UP THE CORRUPT!” she added.
Anne Curtis-Smith
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Anne Curtis has remained consistent in voicing her political beliefs as she marched alongside fellow celebrities in the Trillion Peso March.
“May this be the generation that breaks the chains of corruption— It must end. What was stolen was never theirs to keep, but ours to build the Philippines we love and the future we deserve… I pray our children inherit a nation honest, thriving, and worthy of their dreams,” she captioned her post.
Maris Racal
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Maris Racal was spotted attending the protests in Luneta Park.
“Serbisyo sa tao, huwag gawing negosyo (Serving the people shouldn’t be turned into a business,” she captioned her post.
Andrea Brillantes
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Andrea Brillantes also attended the demonstrations in Luneta Park alongside Maris Racal and the Philippine-Palestine Friendship Association.
“Hindi madali, pero importante. Nandito tayo. Walang makakalimot! At sana, wag lang po hanggang social media (This is not easy, but it’s important. We’re here. We will never forget. And hopefully, this doesn’t end here on social media),” she wrote.
Donny Pangilinan
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Donny Pangilinan backed his words and strong online social media presence with actions as he joined the mass demonstrations in EDSA.
“The shift has begun. The Filipinos are awake. The fight isn’t over, but one day it will be worth it,” he captioned his Instagram post.
He added: “Tama na. Ikulong na ang mga magnanakaw. Ibalik ang pera ng taumbayan (This is enough. Jail the thieves. Return the people’s money),” he added.
Jodi Sta. Maria
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Jodi Sta. Maria took to the stage at the Baha sa Luneta protest, delivering a powerful speech.
“Dapat ‘wag tayong tumigil. Collectively, may magagawa po tayo. Hindi ito kilos ng iisang tao lamang. We have to work as a country, tayong lahat, as a people. Kailangan pong kumilos tayo. Kailangan po na marinig ang boses natin, na gusto nating baguhin ang sistema (We must not stop. Collectively, we can make a difference. This is not the action of just one person. We have to work together as a country, all of us as a people. We need to take action. Our voices must be heard—that we want to change the system),” she said.
In her Instagram post, the actress also emphasized the importance of speaking out against corruption.
“Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino (If we don’t take action, then who will?),” she wrote. “Hindi ito ang bayang nais nating ipakilala sa susunod na salinlahi. Narito tayo kasi naniniwala tayo na kaya nating abutin ang maayos na bukas (This is not the nation we want to present to the next generation. We are here because we believe that we can achieve a better tomorrow).”
Elijah Canlas
Elijah Canlas joined the stage at the morning program at the People Power Monument on EDSA, condemning corrupt officials and calling them “best actors.”
“Lahat tayo, kumakayod, nagtatrabaho nang disente—halos mag-buwis buhay para makapagbayad lang ng buwis. Tapos lahat ng pinaghihirapan natin, anong nangyari? Binubulsa lang (All of us are working hard, earning a decent living—almost risking our lives just to pay taxes. And then what happens to everything we’ve worked for? It just ends up in their pockets),” he said.
“Tama na, sobra na! Ikulong na! Lahat ng kasangkot, dapat managot. Niloloko lang nila tayo, mga sinungaling sila, ang gagaling pang umarte, mga ‘Best Actor,’ hindi po ba? Kung ibalik niyo na lang kaya ang pera ng taong bayan (Enough is enough! Lock them up! Everyone involved must be held accountable. They’re just fooling us. They’re liars and best actors too, aren’t they? Why don’t you just return the people’s money instead)?” he stated.
David Licauco
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Pambansang Ginoo David Licauco participated in the EDSA demonstrations with fellow actor Raheel Bhyria.
Days before the mass demonstrations, David announced that his restaurant, Sóbra To-Go in White Plains, would close early to support his staff’s right to exercise their freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“The power of government is borrowed from the people. They are accountable to us, not the other way around,” the statement read.
Julia Barretto, Marjorie Barretto, and Leon Barretto
Photo: Leon Barretto/Instagram Story
Marjorie Barretto, along with her children Julia and Leon Barretto, joined the EDSA protests to show their solidarity against corruption.
“An experience I will never forget. Today reminded me of the strength and unity of our fellow Filipinos who continue to stand for what is right and just. Proud to be part of this moment, may justice and truth always prevail,” Leon wrote in an Instagram story.
Gabbi Garcia
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Gabbi Garcia joined fellow celebrities both on stage and in the streets as she took part in the Trillion Peso March in EDSA.
“Mahal kita, Pilipinas. Ipaglalaban kita (I love you, Philippines. I will fight for you),” she captioned her post.
Khalil Ramos
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Khalil Ramos marched alongside his girlfriend Gabbi Garcia and other celebrities in white along EDSA, showing support for the fight against corruption.
“Tama na. Sobra na. (Enough. This is too much),” he wrote.
Mika Salamanca
Photo: Mika Salamanca/Instagram Story
Despite a hectic schedule, Mika Salamanca continues to demonstrate what it means to be a Big Winner, joining the protests in person.
On X, she also expressed her anger towards corruption.
galit ako sa corruption wag nyo na dagdagan dahil sa kabobohan nyo.
— Mika Salamanca (@mikslmnc) September 21, 2025
Dustin Yu
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Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition alum Dustin Yu participated in the EDSA protests.
“Laban para sa ating kinabukasan, Pilipinas. Atin ang mga pinaghihirapan natin. Mahirap maging mahirap. Tama na ang pagnanakaw (Let’s fight for our future. What we’ve worked hard for belongs to us. It’s hard to be poor. Enough of the stealing),” he wrote.
Kaila Estrada
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Actress and model Kaila Estrada joined the Quezon City rally.
“Kanina sa rally, kitang-kita ko ang lakas at tapang ng sambayanang Pilipino. Hindi tayo titigil hangga’t may mali, at hindi tayo titigil hangga’t may dapat ipaglaban (Earlier at the rally, I could clearly see the strength and courage of the Filipino people. We will not stop as long as there is wrongdoing, and we will not stop as long as there is something to fight for),” her Instagram post read.
Darren Espanto
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Darren Espanto joined fellow celebrities and It’s Showtime hosts as part of the Angat Bayanihan Volunteer Network in the EDSA demonstrations.
“Para sa bayan (for the Philippines),” he wrote.
Dingdong Dantes
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Dingdong Dantes, together with Kim Atienza, Benjamin Alvez, Jerald Napoles, and Kim Molina, spent their Sunday morning differently by taking part in an anti-corruption run in Makati.
“Not our usual Sunday run. Today, our small community gathered not just for distance, but with prayer and intention,” he wrote.
“We hoped. We dreamed. For a corrupt-free Philippines. For accountability from those who have stolen from us. And for those attending the big rallies, we lifted them up in prayer as well,” he added.
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