"Thousands of people in the Philippines took to the streets on Sunday to protest alleged corruption over bogus or substandard flood control projects. Organizers estimated the turnout at around 130,000 people in the capital city of Manila alone, where protesters gathered at Luneta Park and the EDSA People Power Monument, which commemorates the mass uprising that ousted the father of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 1986."
"The Department of Finance has estimated the Philippine economy lost up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion, 1.75 billion) from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects, while Greenpeace has suggested the number is actually closer to $18 billion. Public outrage has grown in recent weeks after Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the scandal in a state of the nation address in July."
""Our purpose is not to destabilize but to strengthen our democracy," said Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, the head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines."
Mass demonstrations erupted in Manila and other Philippine cities over alleged corruption in flood-control projects, drawing an estimated 130,000 people in Manila alone. Protesters gathered at Luneta Park and the EDSA People Power Monument, and rallies included politicians and support from the Catholic Church. Authorities arrested 17 people after clashes in which some protesters threw rocks at riot police and set fire to a barricade truck near the presidential palace. Investigations revealed billions allegedly lost to bogus or substandard flood-control works, with the Department of Finance estimating losses up to 118.5 billion pesos (~$2 billion) from 2023–2025 and Greenpeace suggesting losses near $18 billion. Construction firm owners accused nearly 30 lawmakers and DPWH officials of taking cash, and public outrage increased after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the scandal in his July state of the nation address.
Read at www.dw.com
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