Thousands protest in the Philippines over corruption

Protesters took to the streets in the Philippine capital to express their outrage over a corruption scandal involving lawmakers, officials and businesspeople who allegedly pocketed huge kickbacks from flood-control projects. September 21, 2025.

Thousands gathered in Manila and surrounding areas on 21 September to protest alleged corruption in government flood-control programmes.

• Scale: Around 30,000 near the main highway; 20,000 elsewhere in the city.

• Participants: Students, church leaders, civil society groups, lawmakers, and militant organisations.

• Demonstration: Reported as largely peaceful; law enforcement on alert.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created an independent body to investigate misappropriation and froze hundreds of related bank accounts. His cousin, former House Speaker, resigned but denies wrongdoing.

Source: AP News

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