Filipinos Protest Corruption in Flood Control Projects

Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets on Sunday to protest a sprawling corruption scandal involving defective flood control projects, demanding accountability from government officials and contractors amid fears that public momentum may be waning.

The demonstrations, held nationwide but centered in Metro Manila, drew an estimated 90,000 participants according to police figures, though crowds were notably smaller than those in a major September rally. In Quezon City, about 7,000 gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument, down from roughly 60,000 the previous month. At Luneta Park in Manila, turnout reached around 3,000 to 20,000, organizers said, compared with nearly 50,000 in September. Protesters, including Catholic clergy and left-wing groups, chanted for the jailing of implicated lawmakers and executives, with some carrying signs reading "Marcos Resign" and effigies depicting politicians as corrupt figures. More than 17,000 police officers secured the events, placing the Malacanang presidential palace under lockdown with barricades and anti-riot forces.

The protests stem from revelations of anomalies in flood control initiatives, including a 289 billion peso (about $4.9...