More than 200,000 protesters participated in a second day of anti-graft rallies in the Philippines, demanding accountability for alleged corruption in flood-control projects.
The movement gained momentum after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed an internal audit detailing extensive irregularities in the multi-billion-peso programs.
An alarming 545 billion pesos ($9.24 billion) was spent since 2022, with many projects found to be substandard or poorly documented. The audit indicated that only a small number of contractors dominated the funds.
In response, congressional hearings were initiated, but no significant outcomes emerged, while a commission led by a former Supreme Court judge recommended charges against many officials and legislators. The scandal has adversely affected economic growth and raised questions about government integrity.
Marcos pledged to prosecute those involved by Christmas, and the Ombudsman indicated that cases are ready for filing. Protest leaders are determined to persist with rallies to maintain pressure for accountability, with another demonstration scheduled for late November.
With information from Reuters