Elijah Canlas joins “Trillion Peso March”; slams corrupt officials: “ikulong na!”
• Actor Elijah Canlas joined the "Trillion Peso March," an anti-corruption rally held on Sunday
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• He delivered a passionate speech, calling for the imprisonment of officials, contractors, and "nepo babies" involved in corruption
• Elijah lamented that the hard-earned money of taxpayers is allegedly being pocketed while ordinary Filipinos suffer
• The actor noted his joy at seeing many young people participating in the protest
Award-winning actor Elijah Canlas joined a massive anti-corruption rally on Sunday, delivering a fiery speech that resonated with thousands of protesters who gathered to demand accountability for the alleged misuse of public funds.
Source: Instagram
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Elijah, who joined the demonstration alongside the Akbayan Partylist, did not mince words as he called out officials, contractors, and even so-called "nepo babies" for their involvement in a system of widespread corruption.
The protest, dubbed the "Trillion Peso March," was a collective action organized by various church groups, civil society organizations, labor unions, and political coalitions.
The rally was held to coincide with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, a day that many protesters believe highlights the ongoing struggle against abuse of power and corruption in the Philippines.
The demonstrations focused on massive irregularities and irregularities in government flood control projects, which have reportedly cost the government billions of pesos over the past decade.
In his impassioned speech, Elijah highlighted the stark contrast between the lives of ordinary Filipinos and those who allegedly profit from corruption.
"Lahat tayo kumakayod [at] nagtatrabaho nang disente, halos magbuwis-buhay para makapagbayad lang ng buwis. Tapos lahat ng pinaghihirapan natin, anong nangyayari? Binubulsa lang!" he declared.
He further criticized those who, he said, plunder public funds and then flaunt their lavish lifestyles, while common citizens suffer from the devastating effects of flooding and a lack of job opportunities.
The actor’s call for action was direct and uncompromising. " Tama na, sobra na, ikulong na!" he exclaimed, adding, " Lahat ng kasangkot dapat managot. Niloloko lang nila tayo, mga sinungaling sila. Ang gagaling pa umarte, mga best actor, 'di po ba? Ibalik niyo na lang kaya ang pera ng taong bayan, tama? "
Elijah’s use of the "best actors" reference struck a chord with the crowd, as he, a respected actor himself, used his platform to speak truth to power.
He also expressed great joy at seeing a significant number of young people participating in the protest alongside older generations who have been fighting corruption for years.
The youth's involvement, he said, signaled a renewed hope for a more transparent and just society. The event was one of several similar protests held across the country, showing a growing public outcry against a pervasive culture of impunity.
Elijah Canlas is a critically acclaimed Filipino actor and commercial model. He began his acting career at age 14 with the independent film Sundalong Kanin. He gained widespread recognition for his lead role in Kalel, 15. In 2024, he was honored as Best Primetime Drama Actor at the Platinum Stallion National Media Awards for his performance in ABS-CBN's Senior High.
Early this month, Elijah shared an emotional throwback video featuring himself, Jerom, and their late brother JM. In the caption, he expressed how JM’s image and voice remain clear to him, emphasizing the unbreakable connection they shared. The post reflected the actor’s deep grief and his lasting love for his younger brother. JM, who passed away at just 17, was mourned publicly after Jerom confirmed the heartbreaking news in August 2023.
Previously, the award-winning actor, had an emotional and heartfelt reflection. At the time, he was interviewed by PUSH ABS-CBN, where he talked about his late brother. During the interview, Elijah opened up about his regret after his brother passed in 2023. He also fondly remembered how he used to accompany JM Canlas on filming sets too.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
