Thousands of protesters gathered in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday for a three-day rally organized by the influential religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ). The demonstration aimed to demand accountability in a widespread corruption scandal involving flood-control projects, which has implicated high-ranking government officials and members of Congress. The scandal, which erupted in recent months, revealed that numerous flood defense projects were either constructed with substandard materials or never existed, despite billions of pesos allocated for their completion. Construction companies allegedly paid hefty kickbacks to politicians and officials to secure lucrative contracts and evade scrutiny. Police estimated that 27,000 participants, many dressed in white and carrying anti-corruption placards, assembled at Rizal Park. Additional protests were scheduled later in Quezon City. The rally follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pledge to jail those implicated in the scandal by Christmas. Marcos has established an independent commission that has already filed criminal complaints against 37 suspects, including lawmakers and business executives. The scandal has sparked public outrage in a country frequently devastated by typhoons and flooding, with two recent storms claiming over 259 lives. The military and police, on high alert, ensured the rally remained peaceful, contrasting with a violent September protest near the presidential palace that injured over 100 officers. The Iglesia Ni Cristo, known for its bloc voting power, has become a significant force in Philippine politics, often courted by candidates during elections.
Tens of thousands rally in Manila over corruption scandal that implicates top Philippine officials
