"Floodgate Scandal Sparks Mass Uprising in Manila"

Hundreds of Thousands Rally in Manila Against Flood-Control Corruption Scandal In a massive display of public discontent, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos gathered in Manila's Rizal Park on Sunday, November 16, 2025, to demand accountability for a flood-control corruption scandal that has implicated powerful members of Congress and top government officials. According to The Associated Press, this was the largest rally so far in a series of protests that have been taking place in recent months. The rally, which was organized by various groups, including the religious sect Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), was a three-day event that aimed to bring attention to the scandal, which has been linked to thousands of flood defense projects across the Philippines, one of the world's most typhoon-prone countries. The projects, worth millions of dollars, were allegedly awarded to companies with ties to government officials and lawmakers, rather than to the most qualified bidders. According to the Philippines' Commission on Audit, the corruption scandal has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars in public funds, which could have been used to improve the country's flood defenses and protect its citizens from the devastating effects of typhoons. The scandal has also led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials and the filing of charges against several lawmakers and government officials. The protesters, who were estimated to be over 300,000 strong, carried signs and banners demanding justice and accountability for the scandal. They also called for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the dissolution of the current Congress, which they accused of being complicit in the corruption. "We are here to demand that our government officials be held accountable for their actions," said Sister Liezel M. Mendoza, a spokesperson for the Iglesia Ni Cristo. "We will not rest until justice is served and those responsible for this scandal are brought to trial." The rally was a significant show of force by the Filipino people, who have been demanding greater transparency and accountability from their government for years. According to experts, the scandal has exposed deep-seated corruption and cronyism in the country's politics, which has led to widespread discontent among the public. "This scandal is just the tip of the iceberg," said Dr. Romulo Virola, a political analyst at the University of the Philippines. "It highlights the need for greater reforms in our government and the need for our leaders to be more accountable to the people." The current status of the scandal is that several investigations are ongoing, including a Senate inquiry and a Department of Justice probe. The government has also established a task force to investigate the scandal and recommend reforms to prevent similar cases in the future. As the protests continue, the Filipino people are demanding that their government take concrete steps to address the scandal and restore public trust. Only time will tell if the government will respond to the people's demands and bring about the reforms needed to prevent similar scandals in the future.