分类： politics

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine capital witnessed significant civil unrest on Sunday as thousands of citizens, including prominent Roman Catholic clergy members, organized coordinated demonstrations demanding immediate accountability for government officials embroiled in a widespread corruption scandal involving misappropriated flood control funds.

In a powerful display of public outrage, left-wing activist groups staged separate protests at Manila’s central park, issuing uncompromising demands for the resignation and prosecution of all officials connected to the scandal. The corruption scheme allegedly diverted billions of pesos intended for critical infrastructure projects, resulting in substandard, defective, or completely nonexistent flood control systems across the disaster-prone archipelago nation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has been working to contain the political fallout from the scandal, which has exposed systemic graft within legislative and public works sectors. The presidential palace complex implemented stringent security measures, deploying over 17,000 police officers throughout metropolitan Manila and establishing barricades with anti-riot forces, military trucks, and barbed wire installations.

Amid the heightened tensions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional democracy, supporting a statement endorsed by 88 retired generals—including three former military chiefs of staff—that condemned calls for military intervention against the current administration.

Catholic churches nationwide facilitated the anti-corruption rallies, with the primary gathering occurring at the historic EDSA highway ‘people power’ monument. Approximately 5,000 demonstrators, predominantly dressed in symbolic white attire, demanded the imprisonment of legislators, officials, and construction executives responsible for the infrastructure failures. Reverend Flavie Villanueva, a prominent Catholic priest known for his advocacy work, addressed the crowd, declaring: ‘Jail all the corrupt and jail all the killers.’

The ongoing investigation has yielded concrete results: seven public works officers have been incarcerated on graft charges, former government engineer Henry Alcantara has returned 110 million pesos ($1.9 million) in kickbacks, and authorities have frozen approximately 12 billion pesos ($206 million) in assets connected to the scandal. President Marcos has publicly committed to seeing numerous implicated senators, congress members, and business executives imprisoned before Christmas, though protesters demand even swifter justice and full restitution of stolen public funds.

The United Arab Emirates has issued a formal condemnation of Israel’s recent military operations within Syrian territory, characterizing these actions as a dangerous escalation in regional tensions. The UAE government expressed profound disapproval of attacks targeting villages in the Damascus countryside, emphasizing its categorical rejection of any violation of Syria’s national sovereignty and the consequent threat to regional security and stability.

In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Emirates called upon the global community to implement immediate measures aimed at ceasing the recurrent assaults on Syrian soil. The statement further urged international stakeholders to prevent further escalation and refrain from any activities that might exacerbate tensions in the Middle East, potentially jeopardizing both regional and international peace and security frameworks.

The UAE’s diplomatic position reflects growing concern among Middle Eastern nations regarding the destabilizing effects of cross-border military operations. This development occurs amid complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, where multiple international actors maintain strategic interests. The Emirates’ statement underscores the importance of respecting national boundaries and adhering to international law principles governing interstate relations and conflict resolution.

Tunisian authorities have escalated their suppression of political dissent with the arrest of prominent human rights activist Chaima Issa, who now faces a 20-year prison sentence. The detention occurred Saturday afternoon during a protest in the capital, according to legal representatives.

This development follows Friday’s appellate court decision that confirmed lengthy prison terms for dozens of government critics, in a case that has drawn international condemnation. The 37 defendants, primarily opposition figures arrested in spring 2023, faced charges of “conspiracy against state security” and alleged membership in terrorist organizations.

The judicial proceedings have been criticized by human rights organizations as fundamentally flawed. The initial trial in April concluded after merely three hearings without permitting closing arguments, resulting in sentences reaching 66 years imprisonment. While appellate judges reduced some penalties, they simultaneously increased others.

Businessman Kamel Ltaief received the most severe sentence at 45 years, reduced from his original 66-year term. Opposition politician Khayam Turki’s sentence was adjusted to 35 years from 48. Notably, several prominent figures including Jawhar Ben Mbarek, Ghazi Chaouachi, Ridha Belhaj and Issam Chebbi saw their sentences increased from 18 to 20 years. Ben Mbarek has undertaken a month-long hunger strike protesting what he terms “arbitrary and unjust” detention.

The court acquitted two defendants: Noureddine Boutar, director of private radio station Mosaique FM, and lawyer Lazhar Akremi. Feminist activist Bochra Belhaj Hmida and French intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy, both tried in absentia, had their 33-year sentences upheld.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has denounced the proceedings, citing numerous legal violations and expressing serious concerns about political motivations behind the prosecutions.

Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, an 80-year-old opposition leader, remains in critical condition at a hospital intensive care unit after her health deteriorated significantly following admission on November 23rd with severe lung infection symptoms. Medical authorities have characterized her condition as extremely grave, according to statements from her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) officials.

The octogenarian politician, who served three terms as the nation’s premier, suffers from multiple chronic health complications including cardiac issues requiring a permanent pacemaker, liver and kidney dysfunction, diabetes, and respiratory ailments. Her deteriorating health has prompted an outpouring of concern from senior party members and supporters who gathered at the medical facility seeking updates on her condition.

From his London residence, Zia’s exiled son Tarique Rahman appealed to the Bangladeshi public for prayers while acknowledging his inability to return home due to circumstances beyond his control. Rahman, who has resided in the UK since 2008, expressed profound emotional distress at being separated from his mother during this medical crisis.

Zia’s current health battle occurs against a complex political backdrop. Previously imprisoned on corruption charges in 2018 under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, she was released last year following Hasina’s ouster from power. The interim government leadership, including Muhammad Yunus, has emphasized Zia’s symbolic importance as an inspirational figure during Bangladesh’s transitional period toward democracy.

Despite her critical health condition, Zia had previously committed to participating in the upcoming February 2026 elections, where her BNP party is considered a leading contender. Her illness now raises significant questions about both her political future and the broader landscape of Bangladeshi politics.