Thousands of Filipinos converged on Manila’s streets this Sunday, raising their voices in protest against the government. They accuse officials of embezzling billions of dollars earmarked for critical flood relief efforts.
These widespread demonstrations were sparked after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself admitted in July’s State of the Nation address that several previously declared ‘completed’ flood-control projects were, in fact, plagued with irregularities. Following this revelation, environmental watchdog Greenpeace estimated that an astounding one trillion Philippine pesos, equivalent to $17.6 billion, intended to bolster the nation’s defenses against persistent and deadly flooding, had been illicitly diverted.
In response to the escalating crisis, President Marcos established an independent commission to investigate the flood-control projects, while a Senate committee launched its own inquiry. The scandal’s fallout has already led to the replacement of both the Senate president and the House speaker, highlighting the severity of the infrastructure issues that have worsened due to climate change-induced flooding.
Interestingly, Mr. Marcos has attempted to align himself with the public outcry, stating last week, “Of course, they are angry. I’m angry. We should all be angry. Because what’s happening is not right.”
These protests are not isolated; they mirror a broader wave of discontent sweeping across South and Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, thousands demonstrated for over a week in August, demanding that lawmakers curb excessive spending amidst economic struggles. Similarly, Nepal saw its government collapse this month after fatal protests against a social media ban and widespread economic inequality, culminating in parts of the capital being set ablaze.
While organizers in Manila advocated for peaceful demonstrations, pockets of violence did emerge. Groups of predominantly young men engaged in stone-throwing, trailer burning, and confrontations with riot police. Several arrests were made, though the exact number was not immediately disclosed by authorities.
The widespread protests, extending beyond Manila to other Filipino cities, could represent the most significant public backlash against President Marcos since his 2022 election. In Manila, the primary demonstrations gathered at two deeply symbolic locations: Rizal Park, the execution site of national hero José Rizal in the late 19th century, and EDSA highway, the historical avenue where Filipinos overthrew the regime of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the current president’s father, in 1986.
The day of protest commenced before dawn with a 10-kilometer solidarity run across Manila. Nica Dumlao, a participant, emphasized the importance of their presence: “It’s important for us to speak out against corruption because as runners we are impacted by substandard public spaces — damaged roads, unlighted streets, poorly planned spaces. We want to be able to run safely in the city.”
During a 6:30 a.m. Mass, Father Julio Ramon Mallonga conveyed a message from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, encouraging attendance at the protests. He stated, “This is a big scandal because most people here are starving while those sitting in government are completely depleting the people’s money. There’s no flood control because there’s no control over greed.”
Adding a creative twist to the demonstrations, some protesters satirized ‘nepo babies’ — the offspring of contractors and officials allegedly involved in the flood-control scandal. Their clever placards, one of which declared “Their luxury, our misery,” mocked the opulent lifestyles flaunted on social media, complete with designer bags and private jets, by individuals connected to the scandal.
Marivic Sison and Melanie Lago, both 68, joined the protests alongside their families, continuing a struggle against corruption that began for them during the Marcos dictatorship in the 1980s. They expressed frustration at the recurring pattern of corruption but found renewed hope in the significant turnout of young participants.
“We are sick and tired,” Ms. Lago declared. Ms. Sison echoed this sentiment, adding, “We have not lost faith in our country, and we just have to bring out what we feel.”
For these seasoned activists, the rally embodied both resistance and hope. Despite Ms. Lago’s admission that it was “so frustrating that we never learned our lessons,” Ms. Sison firmly believed that such public displays were essential.
In his 2024 State of the Nation address, President Marcos claimed that over 5,000 flood control projects had been completed to tackle the escalating problem. Yet, weeks later, Manila was submerged by monsoon rains, with residents navigating waist-deep waters. Subsequent investigations revealed that numerous flood protection projects were either incomplete or poorly executed.
The timing of Sunday’s demonstrations carried profound historical weight, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of Marcos Sr.’s declaration of martial law. This period marked a brutal dictatorship, responsible for thousands of deaths and the plunder of billions, before its eventual overthrow.
The last large-scale public rallies in the Philippines occurred in 2013, sparked by outrage over ‘pork barrel’ — illicit kickbacks channeled to officials from government contracts. Though the Supreme Court outlawed the practice following those protests, few individuals were prosecuted, and some implicated officials even managed to return to public office.