Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Philippines Anti-Graft Protests Intensify Over Flood Project Scandal
Many people in the Philippines are upset because they think a lot of money meant to protect towns from heavy rain was wasted or stolen.
They are protesting in the capital city to ask for the people responsible to be punished.
The President says he has started investigations and promises to put the wrongdoers in jail before the holidays.
However, the protesters feel that not enough is happening yet.
This whole situation has also made people who want to invest in the country worried, which has slowed down how fast the country's money-making machine is growing.
Over 200,000 protesters participated in Manila demanding accountability for alleged corruption in flood-control projects.
An audit revealed thousands of projects were substandard, poorly documented, or non-existent, with 15 contractors cornering 20% of the 545 billion peso budget.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formed a commission recommending charges against dozens, with authorities freezing over 6 billion pesos in assets.
Economic growth slowed to a four-year low in Q3 due to delayed public spending, impacting investor confidence.
Protesters plan further demonstrations to ensure accountability, with President Marcos vowing to jail culprits by Christmas.
- Who
- Tens of thousands of protesters, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., lawmakers, contractors, public works officials, a commission led by a former Supreme Court judge, the Ombudsman.
- What
- Anti-graft protests demanding accountability for alleged corruption in flood-control projects involving substandard, poorly documented, or non-existent infrastructure. Investigations are ongoing, with recommendations for charges and asset freezes.
- When
- Protests ongoing since August, with another rally planned for late November. President Marcos disclosed audit findings in August. He vowed to jail culprits by Christmas. Cases are considered ripe for filing as early as this week.
- Where
- Manila, Philippines
- Why
- Frustration over perceived ineffectiveness of investigations, lack of arrests, and the significant amount of public funds allegedly misused, which has also negatively impacted investor confidence and economic growth.
President Marcos's Administration
Protesters and Critics
Investigation and Accountability
President Marcos's Administration
President Marcos has disclosed audit findings, initiated congressional hearings, and formed a commission led by a former Supreme Court judge. The commission has recommended charges against dozens of individuals, and authorities have frozen assets. Marcos vows to jail those responsible by Christmas.
Protesters and Critics
Protesters are demanding accountability and express frustration that investigations have been ineffective and have yet to result in arrests. They vow to maintain pressure until genuine accountability is achieved.
Economic Impact and Government Spending
President Marcos's Administration
The government aims to boost economic growth by accelerating fund releases for projects, despite stricter validation procedures introduced due to the scandal. The President has vowed to jail those responsible by Christmas.
Protesters and Critics
The corruption scandal has dented investor confidence and is cited as a reason for economic growth slowing to a four-year low in the third quarter due to delayed public spending and stricter validation processes.
- Protestors
- More than 200,000 on second day of rally
- Protest Duration
- Ongoing since August, with a specific rally on Monday and another planned for late November.
- Alleged Corruption Focus
- Substandard, poorly documented, or non-existent flood-control projects.
- Amount Spent Since 2022
- 545 billion pesos ($9.24 billion)
- Frozen Assets
- Over 6 billion pesos
- Economic Impact
- Economic growth slowed to a four-year low in Q3; investor confidence dented.
Sources
130,000 gather in Manila as flood-control scam puts top Philippine officials under scrutiny
Marcos vows jail time for suspects in Philippines graft scandal
Thousands of anti-graft protesters take to streets of Philippines capital for second day