ORIGINAL Pinoy Music (OPM) band Ben&Ben has shared the full performance of their very timely song about power, “Kapangyarihan,” during the Trillion Peso March at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Sunday, September 21.
Through “Kapangyarihan,” the nine-piece indie folk pop band helped amplify Filipinos’ growing calls for transparency and accountability over the alleged corruption in multibillion-peso flood control projects of the Philippine government. Several government officials, including lawmakers and former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as well as contractors, have been linked to the controversy and are now under investigation.
Ben&Ben shared a clip of their full “Kapangyarihan” performance on Instagram on Monday, September 22, featuring other protesters who marched to the People Power Monument to condemn the alleged irregularities in the government flood control project.
Clad in white, the crowd sang the track’s chorus at the top of their lungs, which goes: “Akala niyo ba, ang kapangyarihan / Ay nasa inyo? Sino ba kayo? / Magwawagi ang katotohanan / Ang kadiliman ay ibabagsak / Nagsisilbi ka dapat.”
“Hindi na tayo papayag na walang pananagot na magaganap sa mga kurakot na pulitiko,” the band wrote in the caption.
“Para sa Pilipinas at sa kinabukasan, magmatyag at tumindig tayong lahat,” they added.
Ben&Ben shared that they recorded “Kapangyarihan” with P-pop Kings SB19 and dedicated it to the Philippines. SB19 leader and rapper Pablo wrote the rap part of the song, the band added.
Two major anti-corruption rallies were held on Sunday: one was the Trillion Peso March in Quezon City, while the other was the Baha Sa Luneta protest at Rizal Park in Manila, attended by an estimated 49,000 individuals, according to the Manila Public Information Office.
Prior to the September 21 demonstrations, SB19 shared a 35-second snippet of their collaboration song with Ben&Ben on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the chorus part.
In the caption, the phenomenal quintet—composed of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin—stressed: “Ang tao, ang bayan, ang tunay na kapangyarihan.”
‘Ibalik ang death penalty’
Aside from Ben&Ben, comedian and “It’s Showtime” host Vice Ganda attended the Trillion Peso March, where he called for the reinstatement of the death penalty for corrupt officials and their families to be put in jail.
To recall, several family members of public officials and contractors linked to the flood control mess were criticized for flaunting their lavish lifestyles, including their frequent international travels and millions-worth of designer goods.
“Dapat gumawa ng batas ang pamahalaan para ibalik ang death penalty,” Vice Ganda said. “Ibalik ang death penalty para sa magnanakaw, dahil ang magnanakaw, ang korap na politiko ay higit pa sa mamamatay tao.”
“Ang korapsyon ay higit pa sa terorismo,” he added. “Ang mga magnanakaw sa Pilipinas, walang pinipiling araw. Araw-araw nila tayong ninanakawan.”
Vice Ganda also did not mince his words when he addressed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos. Jr. and urged him to hold those involved in the anomalous flood control projects accountable.
“Kung gusto mong magkaroon ng magandang legasiya ang pangalan mo, ipakulong mo lahat ng magnanakaw,” he said.
“Inaasahan ka namin hindi dahil sa idol ka namin, kundi dahil sinuswelduhan ka namin at inaasahan namin na tutuparin mo ang inuutos naming mga employer mo,” he added.
While he understands the Filipinos’ outrage over the massive corruption scandal and their demand for accountability, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Pablo Virgilio David stood by the Catholic church’s opposition to the death penalty, stressing how easy it is for wealthy people to escape and manipulate the system, while poor people end up executed.
“The answer to corruption cannot be more death, but a deeper reform of justice — one that protects the poor and holds the powerful accountable,” David said in a Facebook post on Monday.
Other celebrities at Sunday rallies
Several celebrities were also spotted attending the September 21 rallies, including Elijah Canlas, Maris Racal, Andrea Brillantes, Angel Aquino, and Jodi Sta. Maria.
Denouncing corruption, Canlas described those involved in the flood control controversy as “best actors” and demanded they return the public funds.
Joining Vice Ganda were his “It’s Showtime” co-hosts Anne Curtis, Ion Perez, Jackie Gonzaga, and Darren Espanto, as well as actress Jasmine Curtis and actor Donny Pangilinan.
“Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition” alumni Mika Salamanca and Dustin Yu were also present at the rally, with Salamanca holding a banner that read: “Wala, ninakaw nila.” Yu, on the other hand, came with his friend and Kapuso actor, David Licauco.
Videos of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Kapuso actress Gabbi Garcia showed them chanting, “Ikulong na ‘yan, mga kurakot!” with other protesters, while waving Philippine flags.
The September 21 rallies coincided with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines, a period marred by human rights abuses and corruption.
