Police clash with anti-corruption protesters in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of Filipinos rallied in the streets of the capital on Sunday to denounce a massive corruption scandal implicating lawmakers, government officials, and business figures accused of siphoning off huge kickbacks from flood-control projects in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest and most disaster-prone nations.

Authorities placed police and military units on heightened alert to prevent unrest. Thousands of officers were deployed to safeguard separate demonstrations held at a historic park in Manila and near the EDSA People Power monument, where organizers anticipated one of the largest anti-corruption gatherings in years.

As a precaution, the United States and Australian embassies issued travel advisories urging their citizens to avoid the protest sites.

Protesters marched with Philippine flags and banners demanding accountability, with one sign declaring: “No more, too much, jail them.” They called for the swift prosecution of those linked to the scandal.

“It’s heartbreaking that while we suffer poverty, lose homes, and risk our future, they enrich themselves with our taxes to fund luxury cars, overseas trips, and big business deals,” student activist Althea Trinidad told The Associated Press. Trinidad, who lives in flood-prone Bulacan province—where several questionable flood-control projects are under probe—joined a crowd that police estimated at around 8,000 people by midday. “We want a system where citizens are no longer exploited.”

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David urged Filipinos to protest peacefully, stressing that the demonstrations were aimed at strengthening democracy, not destabilizing it.

Protest organizers said their focus was on exposing corruption involving public works officials, lawmakers, and contractors, as well as the flawed system that enables large-scale graft. They clarified that they were not seeking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s resignation.

Marcos himself brought national attention to the issue during his State of the Nation Address in July, describing the corruption in flood-control projects as “horrible.” He later formed an independent commission to investigate anomalies in more than 9,800 projects worth over ₱545 billion ($9.5 billion) initiated since he assumed office in mid-2022. His public works secretary subsequently resigned.

Public anger intensified when wealthy contractors Sarah and Pacifico Discaya, who won major flood-control contracts, flaunted dozens of luxury vehicles—including a ₱42-million ($737,000) British car bought “because it came with a free umbrella.” During a Senate inquiry, the couple testified that at least 17 legislators and public works officials demanded huge kickbacks for project approvals.

A separate House inquiry later implicated two senators, though all officials named denied wrongdoing. Multiple investigations are now underway.

The scandal has already forced Senate President Francis Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez to resign amid growing criticism of Congress.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that at least three engineers have been dismissed, with 15 more under investigation. All face criminal charges, and their assets—including bank accounts, homes, and vehicles—will be frozen.