'Impyerno!': From students to retirees, thousands rage at ghost projects at Luneta rally
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 12:00 p.m.) — Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets Sunday to protest a multibillion-peso scandal over bogus flood-control projects, blaming both politicians and contractors for the loss of public funds. The protests coincided with the 53rd anniversary of martial law.
At least 49,000 people were gathered as of 10:25 a.m. at Rizal Park in Manila for the “Baha sa Luneta” rally, organized by university students and activist groups, according to the city government. The hot weather did not deter demonstrators, who carried placards and banners as they called for an end to rampant corruption.
While anger stemmed from the flood control scandal, the calls became multi-sectoral. Some protesters urged transparent budget policies, while others raised environmental concerns.
A large sign asked: “How can we expect the people who oppress us to serve us?”
The so-called ghost projects have stirred outrage since President Ferdinand Marcos highlighted them in his July state of the nation address after weeks of deadly flooding. On Monday, he said he did not blame people for protesting “one bit” but urged demonstrations to remain peaceful. The army was placed on “red alert” as a precaution.
Voices from the protest. “There were times I personally waded through floods,” said Aly Villahermosa, 23, a nursing student from Metro Manila. “If there’s a budget for ghost projects, then why is there no budget for the health sector?”
Former lawmaker Teddy Casiño told the crowd that corruption demanded public outrage. He drew laughter and cheers when he alluded to a viral birthday wish of a journalist that all corrupt officials should die, asking the audience where such officials should go after death.
“Impyerno!” (Hell), the crowd shouted back.
“Corruption requires people to go to the streets and express their outrage in the hope of pressuring government to actually do their jobs,” Casiño said.
Political fallout and economic toll. The scandal has already forced leadership changes in Congress, including the resignation of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos. Earlier this month, the owners of a construction firm accused nearly 30 lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways officials of taking cash payments.
The Department of Finance estimates the economy lost up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects. Greenpeace said the figure could be closer to $18 billion.
In flood-hit Bulacan province, 81-year-old retiree Elizabeth Abanilla said contractors and officials were equally culpable. “They should not have handed (money) over before the job is completed,” she said. “Both of them are guilty.”
More demonstrations expected. Several police and coast guard personnel were deployed to monitor the demonstrations. Even bigger crowds were expected later in the day to march along EDSA, the historic site of the People Power Movement that toppled Marcos’s father in 1986. — with reports from Agence France Presse
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