The Philippines experiences large-scale protests due to a corruption scandal involving millions of dollars.
On Sunday, Manila witnessed widespread protests against a corruption scandal involving legislators, officials, and businessmen. The police reported that approximately 18,000 people took part in various demonstrations in the capital, calling for the immediate prosecution of those responsible.
While the majority of the protests were peaceful, a group of 17 individuals was arrested for setting fire to tires and clashing with the police near the presidential palace. This led to heightened security measures at Malacañan and additional arrests later on, as protesters defaced public property and displayed flags on nearby streets.
Corruption in flood control projects
The root of the public outcry stems from the 9,855 flood control projects worth over $9.5 billion. Many of these projects were found to be inadequate or non-existent, according to official accusations. The scandal came to light when entrepreneurs Sarah and Pacifico Discaya testified in the Senate, revealing that they had bribed at least 17 legislators and public works officials to secure contracts. This revelation further fueled the protests, as the couple’s extravagant collection of imported cars served as a stark reminder of the wealth amassed through misappropriated public funds in a country prone to natural disasters.
Political and social repercussions
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged the gravity of the situation in his annual address and established an independent commission to investigate. He has already accepted the resignation of his Secretary of Public Works and initiated asset freezes for engineers and officials implicated in the scandal.
The pressure from the public also reached the halls of Congress, leading to the resignations of Senate President Francis Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez amidst a flurry of accusations. Additionally, religious figures such as Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David called for peaceful demonstrations and urged the public to channel their indignation towards fortifying democratic institutions.
