Thousands Protest in Manila Over Major Corruption Scandal

Thousands of protesters gathered in the streets of Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, expressing their outrage over a sweeping corruption scandal involving government officials and business figures. The allegations center on substantial kickbacks linked to flood-control projects, which are critical in a country frequently affected by natural disasters.

The Philippine National Police and military units were placed on alert to maintain order, deploying thousands of officers to secure protests in a historic park and near a prominent democracy monument along the main EDSA highway. Organizers aimed for one of the largest anti-corruption demonstrations in recent years, drawing an estimated crowd of approximately 8,000 by midday.

In a show of solidarity, demonstrators waved Philippine flags and carried banners with messages such as “No more, too much, jail them.” Protesters demanded the immediate prosecution of individuals implicated in the scandal, which has sparked significant public anger. “I feel bad that we wallow in poverty while they rake in a big fortune from our taxes,” said student activist Althea Trinidad, who described the dire conditions faced by those living in flood-prone areas like Bulacan, north of Manila.

The corruption allegations were first highlighted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his annual state of the nation address in July. He announced the establishment of an independent commission to investigate anomalies in a total of 9,855 flood-control projects valued at over 545 billion pesos (approximately $9.5 billion) that have been managed since he took office in mid-2022. Marcos labeled the scale of corruption as “horrible” and accepted the resignation of his public works secretary in response to the unfolding scandal.

Public outrage intensified after it was revealed that a wealthy couple, Sarah and Pacifico Discaya, who owned multiple construction companies, displayed a collection of luxury vehicles during media interviews. Among these was a British luxury car worth 42 million pesos (around $737,000) that they claimed was purchased for its accompanying free umbrella. The couple later testified before a televised Senate inquiry, implicating at least 17 legislators and public works officials who allegedly demanded kickbacks for project contracts.

The fallout from the scandal has led to significant political repercussions. Senate President Francis Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez have both stepped down amid growing criticism of Congress, where several members face allegations of corruption. At least three government engineers were dismissed, while 15 others are under investigation. All implicated individuals are facing criminal complaints, and authorities have announced plans to freeze their assets, including bank accounts and properties.

In a statement, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, urged citizens to protest peacefully, emphasizing the importance of accountability rather than destabilization. He stated, “Our purpose is not to destabilize but to strengthen our democracy.”

As the protests unfolded, both the United States and Australian embassies issued travel advisories, cautioning their citizens to avoid the demonstrations for safety reasons. The events in Manila reflect a broader demand for transparency and integrity in governance, resonating with the frustrations of many Filipinos who seek change in a system that has long allowed corruption to flourish.