Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos demonstrate against corruption scandal

In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, hundreds of thousands of people took part in a protest against corruption on Sunday. The AP writes that the demonstrators are demanding accountability for a corruption scandal surrounding flood management. The demonstration, which is expected to last a few days, has been organized by an independent Philippine Christian church (Iglesia ni Cristo). Images show that the demonstrators often wear white shirts with the text “Transparency for a better democracy”.

In the past month, the Philippines was hit twice by a major hurricane. There was even talk of a ‘super typhoon’. More than 250 people died due to flooding, among other things. This year alone, the archipelago was hit by more than twenty storms.

After the major storms, it quickly became apparent that many flood protection projects were insufficient or were simply never completed. Reuters writes that large sums of money for these projects are said to have disappeared into the pockets of high-ranking officials. The nephew of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., among others, is suspected of embezzling money for infrastructure projects, according to AFP.

According to AP, there would be 650,000 demonstrators in Manila on Sunday. The president tried to calm emotions earlier this week by saying that, for example, parliamentarians and wealthy businessmen involved would be in prison before Christmas.

The presidential palace will be in lockdown on Sunday due to the demonstration. There have been no reports of unrest so far. In September, demonstrators threw stones and bottles at police officers near the palace during an anti-corruption demonstration, according to AP.

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