Philippines Erupts: Thousands Protest Massive Flood-Control Corruption

Thousands of Filipinos flooded the streets of Manila, voicing their fury over a sprawling corruption scandal that has siphoned off billions from flood-control projects in the storm-ravaged, poverty-stricken nation. Protests, centered at a historic Manila park and near the iconic EDSA highway democracy monument, saw an estimated 8,000 demonstrators by midday, with organizers aiming for one of the largest anti-corruption rallies in recent years.

Waving Philippine flags and hoisting banners declaring “No more, too much, jail them,” protesters demanded swift prosecution of lawmakers, officials, and business figures implicated in pocketing massive kickbacks from flood-control initiatives. “I feel bad that we wallow in poverty and lose our homes, our lives, and our future while they rake in a fortune from our taxes,” said student activist Althea Trinidad from flood-prone Bulacan, where many of the 9,855 projects under scrutiny—worth over 545 billion pesos ($9.5 billion)—are either substandard or nonexistent.

The scandal, first spotlighted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his July 2025 State of the Nation address, has led to the resignation of his public works secretary and the creation of an independent commission to probe the “horrible” corruption. Public outrage intensified after Sarah and Pacifico Discaya, a wealthy couple behind construction firms securing lucrative contracts, flaunted a fleet of luxury cars—including a 42 million peso ($737,000) British model bought “because it came with a free umbrella.” Their televised Senate testimony exposed 17 House legislators and officials allegedly demanding kickbacks, with two senators later implicated by a former government engineer in a separate inquiry.

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The fallout has been seismic: Senate President Francis Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez stepped down amid public backlash, while three government engineers were sacked and 15 others face dismissal and criminal charges, with their assets frozen, according to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon. All accused have denied wrongdoing, but multiple investigations are underway.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, urged peaceful protests to strengthen democracy, stating, “Our purpose is not to destabilize but to demand accountability.” Organizers emphasized targeting corrupt officials and systemic flaws, not Marcos’s resignation. With police and troops on high alert and the U.S. and Australian embassies issuing travel warnings, the protests underscore the deep frustration of a nation battered by floods and betrayed by those entrusted to protect it.

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