MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Tens of thousands gathered on Sunday for the commencement of a three-day rally organized by the religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) in Manila, demanding accountability regarding a significant flood-control corruption scandal. This scandal has implicated prominent members of Congress and top government officials, heightened outrage over corruption allegations, and prompted widespread public protests throughout the country.
The Philippines, known for being one of the most typhoon-prone nations in the world, has faced increasing scrutiny as various groups have protested due to revelations that many flood defense projects were of substandard quality, incomplete, or non-existent. Testimonies from government engineers, public works officials, and executives from construction companies during Senate hearings have revealed claims that lawmakers and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways accepted kickbacks from construction firms to secure lucrative contracts.
Police estimated that approximately 130,000 Iglesia Ni Cristo members gathered at Manila's Rizal Park by mid-afternoon, with many attendees dressed in white and holding anti-corruption placards. Additionally, other groups planned to hold separate anti-corruption demonstrations later in the day at the “People Power” monument in Quezon City. The Iglesia Ni Cristo is recognized as a powerful voting bloc, influencing electoral outcomes, thus gaining significant attention from political candidates.
In response to the planned rallies, police, along with military support, were put on high alert and deployed thousands of personnel for security purposes. A confidential security assessment suggested that the government anticipated the demonstrations would remain peaceful. However, tensions remain high following a previous anti-corruption protest on September 21, where a small group of protesters clashed with law enforcement near the presidential palace, resulting in injuries to over 100 officers and criminal complaints against 97 individuals.
During the weekend, security at the presidential palace was heightened, with major access roads barricaded using cargo containers and barbed wire. National police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. instructed law enforcement to adopt a stance of “maximum tolerance” during Sunday’s protests.
Flood control emerges as a crucial issue in the Philippines, particularly following the devastation caused by two recent typhoons which led to at least 259 fatalities primarily due to flash floods and landslides. Millions have been displaced, underscoring the urgency for competent flood management systems.
Amid mounting public discontent, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has sought to mitigate outrage linked to the scandal. He stated that many politicians and businesspeople implicated in the corruption accusations would face jail time by Christmas. Marcos established an independent fact-finding commission that has already moved to file criminal complaints against 37 individuals on charges of graft, corruption, and plunder. Additional complaints involving 86 construction executives and nine government officials have also been lodged for allegedly avoiding nearly 9 billion pesos (approximately $152 million) in taxes.
High-profile figures implicated include both opposing and supporting lawmakers, such as former House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is a cousin of President Marcos, and former Senate President Chiz Escudero. Both have denied any wrongdoing. Furthermore, Sen. Bong Go, a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has also been accused of involvement in the corruption functioning within flood control and other infrastructure projects while denying the allegations.
Duterte himself has faced scrutiny, having been detained by the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands earlier this year for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug crackdowns. His daughter, the current vice president, called for Marcos to be held accountable for endorsing the 2025 national budget, which allocates substantial funds for flood control initiatives.
Calls have emerged from some circles, including pro-Duterte supporters, for the military to withdraw its support from Marcos. However, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has affirmed his commitment to upholding the Constitution and assured the public that military forces would not engage in actions against the government.
