Mass Protests Erupt in Manila Over Corruption Scandal 

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Philippines’ capital, Manila, on Sunday to protest a multibillion-peso corruption scandal over so-called “ghost” flood-control projects, sparking anger over government incompetence and calls for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Al Jazeera reported. 

Around 50,000 people marched in the capital carrying the Philippine flags and banners reading “No more, too much, jail them.” Scattered clashes erupted as demonstrators threw rocks and set barricade tires on fire, while police fired water cannons.  

Local authorities said at least 49 people were detained and around 70 officers were injured, the Associated Press noted. 

Meanwhile, authorities said that around 30,000 people marched on the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue thoroughfare in Quezon City, a site symbolic for past People Power protests that helped oust Marcos’ father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., from power in 1986, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). 

Anger has been mounting in the Southeast Asian nation since July, when Marcos Jr. highlighted the scandal of ghost infrastructure projects during his State of the Nation speech.  

He later set up an independent commission to probe anomalies in more than 9,800 projects worth around $9.5 billion. 

The scandal deepened after wealthy contractors Sarah and Pacifico Discaya were linked to lucrative contracts while flaunting luxury cars and foreign assets. 

The Department of Finance estimated that corruption in the flood-control sector cost the economy around $2 billion between 2023 and 2025, though Greenpeace suggested losses could be closer to $18 billion. 

Last week, Marcos Jr. said he did not blame citizens “one bit” for their anger but urged demonstrators to remain peaceful. Meanwhile, the scandal has prompted some leadership changes in both houses of the legislature, with House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez – a cousin of the president – stepping down last week. 

Observers said Sunday’s turnout reflected broader discontent with systemic graft. Analyst Arjan Aguirre told the SCMP that the protests would be “the beginning of something big,” urging anti-corruption advocates to unite behind measures, such as a freedom of information law. 

Others, however, cautioned that rival political groups, including allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte, could attempt to hijack the movement.  

The protests are the latest to erupt in South, Southeast, and East Asia in the past few years over corruption and other issues. Earlier this month, Nepali protesters ousted the country’s leader after demonstrations broke out over the economy, corruption, and nepotism.