Statement on the Trumped-Up Sedition Case Against Activists
Renato Reyes, Jr.
Bayan President
January 16, 2026
On January 14, 2026, I was informed by counsel from the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) that the Department of Justice had issued a subpoena against me. The charges—sedition, inciting to sedition, and violations of the Cybercrime Law—were filed by Lt. Col. Jonathan A. Estrada of the Philippine National Police (PNP). I was directed to appear before the Assistant State Prosecutor on January 15. I have now been added to the long list of individuals facing false charges stemming from the incidents in Mendiola on September 21, 2025.
Our lawyers obtained a copy of the complaint only yesterday. The allegations against me are patently false, and the claims of sedition are entirely manufactured. These charges rest solely on the fact that I attended the September 21 protest and am a publicly known activist.
I am confident that this latest harassment case against me and the mass movement will fail. Our lawyers will mount a vigorous defense against these baseless PNP claims. Furthermore, it is well-documented that I was injured after the Bayan protest in Mendiola had already concluded and when the commotion had begun. I was immediately transported to a hospital in Quezon City, where I received four stitches. Therefore, the claim that I “incited defiance and confrontation with law enforcers” during the clashes is a total fabrication. My statements and personal account of the Mendiola incident have been extensively covered by the media.
What is of greater concern, however, is the chilling effect the PNP intends to impose on the broader anti-corruption movement. The PNP and the Marcos regime are sending a warning to dissenters: they will be prosecuted for their public statements or social media posts. The underlying message of this trumped-up case is clear—criticism of the regime will be met with legal harassment. This fascist attack seeks to discourage public participation in the movement to hold corrupt officials and a corrupt system accountable. The targeting of student leaders from various universities with similar sedition charges is particularly telling, as the PNP attempts to intimidate the youth activists at the forefront of this struggle. Let us also point out that State resources are being wasted on these baseless cases.
These cases will not stop the people from demanding accountability for the large-scale, systematic plunder of public funds. Repression only provides further reason for the people to engage in collective action. I call on all anti-corruption groups to denounce the ongoing harassment of activists and to unite for sustained action. To date, no “big fish” or principal proponent of corruption has been held accountable. The Marcos regime appears more preoccupied with prosecuting protesters than pursuing corrupt public officials. Let us work together to make 2026 a year of reckoning for the bureaucrat capitalists who have abused their power for personal gain. ###
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