Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Assistant General Manager for Operations Gelo Vargas addressed comments regarding his now-deleted Facebook post, in which he referred to the CCTV monitoring of anti-corruption rallies as a “watch party.”
On Monday, September 22, the MMDA official explained that his social media post “was simply to inform the public that there is continuous monitoring of activities to ensure that everyone may safely and peacefully exercise their right to protest.”
“I have since taken down the post as it was being misinterpreted beyond its original intent,” Vargas said.
“We reaffirm our commitment to uphold transparency and safeguard the welfare of all concerned. Thank you for understanding,” he added.
The MMDA official included a screengrab of the now-deleted post, which reportedly read: “Martial law anniversary rally monitoring #SundayWatchParty (accompanied laughing-with tears emojis).”
Following backlash online, a social media user noted that Vargas had edited his post to read: “Martial law anniversary rally monitoring #SundayRally #MartialLaw.”
Inedit ng kupal yung caption nya pic.twitter.com/dgPNnGoqIy
— Mariko Sama (@sama_marik49734) September 21, 2025
Vargas eventually deleted the post after the edited version continued to gain traction among online Filipinos.
“Gelo Vargas of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) took down a post after receiving reactions from netizens.
The post read: ‘Martial law anniversary rally monitoring #SundayWatchParty,’” a Facebook page reported.
Vargas faced backlash for appearing to trivialize the mass demonstrations against corruption, with some interpreting his “watch party” caption as reflecting a “happy” disposition at the time.
“B*isit na ‘to, yung mga kababayan natin nasa lansangan at lumalaban, masaya ka pa,” an online user wrote.
“Insensitive ang gag*. Palibhasa, ‘di sya naghihirap, ‘di nya ramdam ang pahirap ng taumbayan,” another commented.
“Treating the rally as a watch party [with] complete snacks? And probably in a fully air-conditioned and comfortable room as well. Sobrang entertaining ba panoorin ang paglaban ng ninanakawang taumbayan?” a Pinoy asked.
“Na para bang nanunuod lang sa Netflix? Kapal ng mga mukha,” another said.
The MMDA operates an extensive CCTV network that monitors traffic and key public areas across Metro Manila.
Protest against corruption
On Sunday, Filipinos took to the streets to demand accountability over alleged corruption in flood-control projects.
The protest, called the “Trillion Peso March,” coincided with the 53rd anniversary of the Martial Law under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Organizers said the timing was intentional, linking historical abuses of power with current corruption allegations.
Protesters gathered at the EDSA Shrine, People Power Monument and Rizal Park in Manila, while rallies were also held in Bulacan, Baguio City, Cebu and Davao.
The Department of Finance that estimated that corruption in flood-control projects cost the economy as much as ₱118.5 billion ($2 billion) from 2023 to 2025, with environmental groups like Greenpeace claiming the figure could be higher.
Rally organizers said they would continue mobilizing until full accountability is ensured.
— with reports from Philstar.com/Camille Diola and Jean Mangaluz
