In the dynamic and often tumultuous arena of Philippine politics, the staging of a “People Power” rally is meant to signify a groundswell of public discontent, a powerful collective voice demanding change. However, a recent attempt by Congressman Kiko Barzaga to ignite such a movement against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reportedly devolved into a perplexing spectacle of low attendance, aggressive rhetoric, and widespread ridicule. What was envisioned as a significant challenge to the administration allegedly manifested as a poorly attended event, raising profound questions about Barzaga’s motivations, the true depth of public sentiment, and the potential for manipulative forces operating in the shadows of Philippine public discourse.

The stage was set with bold pronouncements from Congressman Barzaga, who had actively promoted a rally intended to pressure President Marcos to resign. His calls for a “People Power” gathering, complete with intimations of entering exclusive private properties like Forbes Park to confront high-profile officials, were certainly designed to grab attention. Yet, the reality that unfolded on the ground, as captured and analyzed by various online commentators, including Sangkay Janjan, presented a stark and embarrassing contrast to these ambitious declarations.

Initial efforts to portray a substantial public presence reportedly relied on doctored images and misleading narratives. However, authentic footage from the actual event revealed a shockingly low turnout. What should have been a vibrant demonstration of collective will against the government reportedly appeared as a sparsely populated gathering, predominantly comprising a few ardent supporters and a significant media presence. The commentator from Sangkay Janjan did not mince words, describing the scene as “katawa-tawa” (laughable) and questioning the very authenticity of the support base, likening it to a “meet and greet” for Barzaga rather than a genuine protest.

The commentator specifically pointed to the alleged spread of old videos and pictures, particularly by “DDS keyboard warriors” (Duterte Diehard Supporters), to create a false impression of massive attendance. One video, broadcast by a GMA reporter showing a large crowd at the EDSA People Power Monument, was revealed to be footage from a previous event, falsely captioned as “today’s rally October 12, 2025.” This deliberate deception, according to the commentator, highlights a concerted effort to manipulate public perception and generate an illusion of widespread support where none truly existed. The use of outdated media, presented as current events, underscores a troubling trend of misinformation in political discourse.

The actual rally, organized by “Cong Miao” (referring to Kiko Barzaga) at Raha Sulaiman Park in Manila, painted a starkly different picture. Live footage from the event showed a desolate scene, far from the “sea of people” depicted in the circulated fake images. The commentator scoffed at the “ghost DDS supporters” who were allegedly nowhere to be found, joking that more people were watching the Facebook live stream of the event than were actually present. The sparse attendance was so striking that even the police, specifically the Makati City SWAT personnel and Home Owners Association Security Teams, were observed standing guard at the Bendia Gate of Forbes Park, anticipating a large crowd or potential disturbance that never materialized. This high level of security, deployed in expectation of a non-existent threat, further emphasized the disconnect between the hype and the reality.

The commentator expressed deep concern over the aggressive behavior reportedly exhibited by some protesters, despite their paltry numbers. These individuals engaged in heated exchanges with police, shouting defiance and even attempting to incite officers. This confrontational approach, in the context of an almost deserted rally, struck many as counterproductive and indicative of a desperate attempt to create drama rather than articulate a coherent message. The apparent frustration of the participants was palpable, with Barzaga himself reportedly showing signs of agitation, his “laway niya bumubula na eh” (his saliva was foaming) during an interview, as he struggled to defend the rally’s timing and purpose.

A significant point of contention for the commentator was the underlying political motive behind the rally. They argued that the constant chants of “Marcos Resign” were not a spontaneous demand from the populace but a calculated maneuver aimed at destabilizing the current administration. The commentator suggested that the true agenda was to prematurely pave the way for Vice President Sara Duterte to assume the presidency. This framing presents the “People Power” rally as a cynical political play, an attempt to leverage public sentiment for partisan gain, rather than a genuine expression of national grievance. The commentator mockingly advised Barzaga and his allies to wait for the 2028 elections, implying their current actions were both premature and ultimately ineffective without substantial public backing.

Furthermore, the commentator delved into the characteristics of what they termed the “DDS mentality” or “Duterte Supporter dysfunction.” This phenomenon, according to the commentator, is marked by an unwavering, almost cult-like loyalty to former President Duterte and his political allies, often overriding critical thinking and objective assessment of facts. When challenged on policy achievements or failures, DDS supporters, it was argued, frequently resort to vague statements or emotional appeals, struggling to provide logical, evidence-based justifications. This intellectual vacuum, the commentator implied, makes such groups particularly susceptible to manipulation, whether for personal gain or as instruments for larger, potentially detrimental agendas, including those propagated by foreign influence operations.

Indeed, the discussion extended to the unsettling implications of foreign interference. Referencing recent international reports, including those from Reuters, detailing China’s alleged “troll farms” operating in the Philippines to influence public opinion and undermine the Marcos administration, the commentator speculated that Barzaga’s highly publicized, yet poorly attended, actions could be amplified or even orchestrated by such external entities. This raised deeply concerning questions about whether some political figures, wittingly or unwittingly, are being utilized as instruments in a geopolitical game, with the mainstream media sometimes inadvertently amplifying their messages due to their controversial nature. This scenario paints a disturbing picture of Philippine politics being swayed not by genuine public will, but by orchestrated narratives from foreign actors.

In essence, Congressman Kiko Barzaga’s attempted “People Power” rally stands as a stark and, for many, embarrassing example of political overreach and miscalculation. It underscores the critical importance of scrutinizing not just the message, but also the messenger and the underlying motivations in any political movement. The event, far from sparking a national awakening, instead served to expose the fragility of manufactured dissent, the dangers of uncritical political loyalty, and the ever-present threat of external forces seeking to manipulate national discourse. As the Philippines navigates its complex political landscape, this incident serves as a potent reminder for citizens to demand substance over spectacle, and authenticity over manufactured outrage, lest they become unwitting pawns in a larger, potentially destabilizing game.