Massive protests erupt in Manila over $2 Billion corruption in flood control projects
Tens of thousands of people are gathering in the Philippines’ capital, Manila, for a three-day rally demanding accountability over a massive corruption scandal. The outrage stems from the discovery that thousands of flood defense projects across the typhoon-prone country were either made from substandard materials or were entirely "ghost infrastructure projects."
The Department of Finance has estimated that the country lost up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) to corruption in these projects between 2023 and 2025. This large-scale alleged theft of public funds meant for climate adaptation has fuelled widespread anger, particularly as the Philippines is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to deadly typhoons and severe flooding.
High-Profile Officials Implicated
A fact-finding commission has filed criminal complaints for corruption against 37 suspects, including powerful senators, members of Congress, and wealthy businesspeople. Criminal complaints were also filed against 86 construction company executives and nine government officials for allegedly evading nearly 9 billion pesos ($153 million) in taxes.
Lawmakers implicated include both those opposed to and allied with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Among those accused are Senate President Chiz Escudero and Senator Bong Go, a key ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Notably, the President’s cousin and former House of Representatives Speaker, Martin Romualdez, has also been named, though all three have denied wrongdoing.
President Marcos Jr. has stated that Romualdez will not face charges "as yet" due to a lack of evidence, but insisted that “no one is exempt” from the investigation. He promised that many of those linked to the corruption scandal would be in jail before Christmas.
Political Fallout and Military Support
The scandal has deepened the rift between the Marcos and Duterte camps. The current Vice President (and Duterte’s daughter) has called for Marcos to be held accountable and jailed for approving the 2025 national budget which contained billions for the controversial flood control projects.
Amid isolated calls for the military to withdraw support from Marcos, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr., has repeatedly rejected the demands. He assured the public that the military “remains steadfast in preserving peace, supporting lawful civic expression and protecting the stability and democratic institutions of the republic.”
