For the second consecutive day, tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Manila on Monday, intensifying their calls for accountability in the wake of alleged corruption tied to flood-mitigation projects. The protests, which began on Sunday and attracted over 600,000 participants, are set to continue until Tuesday. Organized by Iglesia Ni Cristo, a prominent church with a membership of 2 million known for its bloc voting influence, the movement has mobilized supporters nationwide. Many protesters expressed frustration over what they perceive as inadequate investigations into irregularities in major infrastructure projects. Freddie Beley, a 60-year-old participant, emphasized the need for a genuine and transparent inquiry, stating, ‘We demand that the government conduct a sincere investigation and not shield anyone involved in this anomaly.’ The scandal gained momentum in August when Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed the findings of an internal audit on flood-control projects, exposing significant irregularities. The controversy has implicated public works officials, construction firm executives, and lawmakers, who are accused of profiting from substandard or non-existent projects. This has eroded investor confidence and contributed to a four-year low in economic growth during the third quarter, as public spending declined. Marcos has established a commission to investigate the alleged corruption, particularly in flood-control facilities. Positioning himself as a champion of accountability and transparency, the president, whose father was accused of widespread corruption during his rule, vowed on Thursday that those responsible for the flawed projects would face imprisonment before Christmas. However, protester Armelyn Bandril, 35, criticized the lack of progress, noting, ‘Nearly 100 days have passed since the investigation began, yet no one has been jailed despite ample evidence.’
Philippines: Thousands of anti-graft protesters take to Manila streets for second day
