Thousands of Filipinos rallied in Manila on Sunday (November 30) to denounce alleged large-scale corruption involving billions of pesos (tens of millions of U.S. dollars) meant for flood-mitigation projects.

Protesters, some wearing masks of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., marched through the capital holding banners and chanting demands for accountability and swift action against officials implicated in the scandal.

The rally came as investigators from various agencies, including the Senate, said public works officials, construction executives and several lawmakers diverted funds into ‘ghost projects’ that were never completed.

The controversy, which has hammered investor confidence, was cited by some analysts as a factor behind the third quarter’s four-year low in economic growth as public spending slowed.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (NOVEMBER 30, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. PROTESTERS MARCHING WHILE CHANTING AND HOLDING BANNERS, FLAGS, AND SOME WEARING MASKS REPRESENTING PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR

2. ACTIVIST WEARING MASK REPRESENTING MARCOS HOLDING SIGN READING (Filipino): "Hold Marcos, Sara (Vice President of the Philippines) accountable"

3. PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNER READING (Filipino): "All those corrupt must be held accountable"

4. PROTESTER HOLDING CROCODILE FIGURE WITH TEXT READING (English): “The Luxury. Our Misery.”

5. SIGN READING (Filipino): "Corrupt"

6. PROTESTERS DURING RALLY

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) TEACHER, DAVID SAN JUAN, SAYING:

"It's been five months since the flood control scam erupted and no high official has been jailed yet. After what Ombudsman Remulla (Lawyer and former Secretary of Justice of the Philippines) said, that at least 10% of Congress is involved in the anomalies in flood control projects, a case has been filed and a warrant issued for only one person. The senators and congressmen involved have still not been jailed."

8. PROTESTERS MARCHING WHILE CHANTING / EFFIGY OF MARCOS

9. PROTESTERS WEARING CROCODILE MASKS

10. PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNER WITH CROCODILE IMAGE

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) TEACHER, DAVID SAN JUAN, SAYING:

"It's clear that corruption runs from the bottom to the top. The problem is systemic. Filipinos need to unite to stop this system of corrupt dynasties. We are here to assert that the corruption is too much and must stop. We are fed up with floods. We are fed up with funds intended for flood control and other public services being stolen."

12. PROTESTERS CHANTING

13. PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARDS AND CHANTING

14. PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNER READING (Filipino): "Change the corrupt and rotten system"

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) ACTIVIST, NICOLAI TAGUBANDO, SAYING:

"It is clear that the anger of the people has reached its boiling point. Now is the time to condemn the ongoing corruption. As part of the youth, I cannot express my anger enough."

16. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING SIGNS AND WALKING DURING RALLY