Filipinos Rally on Corruption in Flood Projects, Lower Turnout

Thousands of Filipinos rallied across the country on Sunday to demand accountability for a multibillion-peso corruption scandal involving defective flood control projects, though attendance fell short of previous demonstrations, raising concerns about waning public momentum.

Police estimated that around 90,000 people participated in protests nationwide, with about 16,000 gathering in Metro Manila at key sites including Luneta Park in Manila and the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City. Organizers described the events as the Trillion Peso March 2.0, led by groups such as the Kilusang Bayan Kontra-Kurakot and supported by Roman Catholic clergy. Demonstrators chanted for the jailing of corrupt officials, carried signs reading "Marcos Resign" and "All corrupt politicians must be held accountable," and burned effigies depicting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte as crocodiles. In Quezon City, crowds numbered around 7,000, down from 60,000 at the same site during major protests on September 21. At Luneta Park, turnout was estimated at 3,000 to 20,000, compared to nearly 50,000 in September.

The protests focused on allegations that lawmakers, public...