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1h ago

Filipinos Rally Nationwide Over Alleged ‘Ghost’ Flood‑Control Graft

An independent probe follows account freezes plus a House leadership resignation.

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Protesters take part in a rally as they demonstrate against phony flood control projects, one of the country's biggest corruption scandals in decades, in Manila on September 21, 2025.
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Protesters shout slogans as they hold a rally against corruption in Quezon City, the Philippines, on September 11. Photo: AP

Overview

  • Thousands marched in Manila and other cities on Sept 21 to denounce alleged kickbacks in flood‑control projects, with AFP estimating about 13,000 at Luneta Park and organisers claiming far larger totals elsewhere.
  • Demonstrators invoked People Power symbolism at Luneta, EDSA and the People Power Monument, and the rallies were widely described as peaceful and disciplined.
  • Protest leaders demanded the return of allegedly stolen funds, criminal charges for officials and contractors, and the release of officials’ net‑worth statements with bank waivers.
  • President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously ordered an independent commission, hundreds of bank accounts tied to flood programs have been frozen, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez resigned as scrutiny intensified.
  • The Department of Finance estimates losses of up to 118.5 billion pesos from 2023–2025, while Greenpeace contends the figure could reach about $18 billion, and police and military remained on heightened alert for the protests.