Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima acknowledged that attendance at the second Trillion Peso March on November 30 was lower than the first rally on September 21 but stressed that the event remained impactful.
“Yes. Medyo nga mas konti compare sa September 21 pero sa tingin naman namin, pareho rin naman na powerful ‘yung parang naging message or powerful ‘yung naging indikasyon na nandoon, na dinagsa pa rin ng mga tao, ng mga iba’t ibang grupo,” she said.
De Lima noted that the messages and calls for accountability were just as significant, emphasizing that the event’s impact is measured by its message, not the number of participants.
“At ‘yung mga panawagan, ‘yung mga message ay still the same, very powerful pa rin po. So it’s not really in the number kundi ‘yung pinaka-message ng okasyon ang para sa amin ay mahalaga,” she explained.
She also pointed out that the lower turnout may have been due to finals week for many college and university students.
“Mas marami man o hindi, ang importante pa rin ay malinaw ‘yung naging mensahe, powerful ‘yung naging mensahe. Nagkakaisa pa rin ‘yung mga nandoon, nagkakaisa ‘yung mga panawagan,” de Lima added.