An estimated 13,000 people gathered at Luneta Park in Manila on 21/9 to demonstrate against corruption surrounding flood control projects, which has reportedly cost the Philippines billions of USD.

"There were times I had to wade through floodwaters. If there's a budget for ghost projects, why isn't there a budget for healthcare? This is truly shameful," said Aly Villahermosa, a 23-year-old nursing student in Metro Manila.

Public anger has surged since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. publicly acknowledged the issue in July, following weeks of deadly floods.

Earlier last week, President Marcos said he didn't "blame" people for protesting, but urged them to demonstrate peacefully. The Philippine military was placed on "high alert" as a precaution.

Filipinos protest against the flood control corruption scandal on 21/9. Photo: AFP

Filipinos protest against the flood control corruption scandal on 21/9. Photo: AFP

Teddy Casino, chairman of the leftist alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said his group not only demanded the return of the embezzled funds but also called for the prosecution of everyone involved. "Corruption forces people to take to the streets to express their outrage, hoping to pressure the government to do its job," he said.

The Philippine Socioeconomic Planning Secretary stated that 70% of the budget allocated for flood control has been lost to corruption. The Philippine Department of Finance estimated the economy lost up to 2 billion USD between 2023 and 2025 due to this corruption. Greenpeace believes the actual figure could be closer to 18 billion USD.

Earlier this month, the owner of a construction company accused nearly 30 members of Congress and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways of accepting bribes.

The House Speaker, linked to the project, resigned while denying any wrongdoing. The Senate President was also ousted following reports that a contractor involved in the flood control project donated to his 2022 election campaign.

Thanh Tam (AFP)