MANILA: Thousands of Filipinos joined on Sunday a series of nationwide protests coordinated by civil society and the Catholic Church to demand accountability from top officials implicated in a multibillion-dollar scandal involving fake flood-control projects.

The Philippines — one of the world’s most typhoon-vulnerable countries — has been gripped by the corruption scandal for the past few months, as investigations have uncovered massive irregularities in flood prevention and mitigation projects.

The first mass anti-corruption rally took place in September, after Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said that economic losses may have averaged $2.1 billion a year from 2023 to 2025, mainly due to ghost projects.

Sunday’s march was a “sequel” to it, James Balbuena, spokesperson of Akbayan Partylist and one of the organizers, told Arab News.

“We don’t want this corruption that’s currently happening here in the Philippines, and we want to end this also for the future generations,” he said.

“We recognize that the people are really mad about the failures of the government to respond to the corruption, not only to respond, but to prevent.”

In the capital region, participants began gathering at main public assembly sites — the EDSA People Power monument in Quezon City and Luneta in Manila — as early as 7:00 a.m.

While their main goal was to demand accountability, protesters also called for systemic change, including a ban on all political dynasties and the passage of the anti-dynasty bill.

The bill seeks to prohibit members of the same family from simultaneously or consecutively holding or running for public office, as seen in the cases of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose father ruled the country three decades ago, and Vice President Sara Duterte, whose father served as president from 2016 to 2022.

“We want a systemic change in the political system,” Balbuena said. “We do not support any calls for an austerity or transitional council. What we want is to make sure that this scandal, this crisis, won’t ever happen again.”

In Baguio City, the country’s “summer capital,” some 250 km from Manila, residents also took to the streets.

“We are tired, angry and frustrated,” Maxine Tanya Hamada, civil society leader in the region, told Arab News.

“We deserve better, and we are on the streets to remind those in power that we will hold you accountable … Hold everyone accountable, all the way to the top.”

The protests have been supported by the Catholic Church, with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines announcing that most of the archdioceses and dioceses across the country would join in local prayer rallies.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the CBCP, called on the people to “unite in repentance” for corruption in Philippine society as he joined protesters in Manila and called on Marcos to step up accountability efforts.

“Do your work,” he said. “Show us you will pursue corrupt officials impartially, wherever the trail of evidence may lead.”

As several powerful political figures have been found to be implicated, Marcos has established an independent commission led by a former supreme court justice and vowed to hold all wrongdoers accountable, regardless of their status.

After a two-month probe, the first group of more than a dozen suspects, including former lawmaker Zaldy Co and several government public works engineers, was indicted by a special anti-corruption court.

Marcos had earlier promised that they would be in jail by Christmas. Seven were arrested last week.

But for most protesters, it was not enough.

“These are just small fish. It doesn’t stop there,” said Jimmy Lorica Castiliano, development worker, who protested at the Luneta site.

“I’m aware of the scale of corruption that is happening in our government and in our country … As an individual who loves our country, I cannot just watch this affecting many of our citizens.”

Apollo Abraham, actor and voice artist, who joined the protest at EDSA, said it was time for Filipinos to show their anger.

“Our leaders, who are meant to protect us, are stealing from us. They are all getting away scot-free because these crooks are protecting each other. The streets are our only recourse. I don’t know if we will make a difference, but we will scream out the truth anyway,” he said.

“We as a people are too nice. It’s time for all of us to get angry and get even.”