Protests Erupt in Philippines Amidst Corruption and Flood Woes

Following youth movements in Nepal and public pressure in Indonesia, the Philippines, a Southeast Asian nation and neighbor to China, faces a major political crisis. Millions are set to take to the streets in Manila on Sunday, September 21st, in what is being called the Trillion Peso March. The demonstration is against alleged corruption involving billions of dollars in government funds and the extravagant lifestyles of the leaders’ children. The anger stems not only from corruption but also from the resulting human tragedy. Recent severe floods have devastated the country, with streets turning into rivers, people stranded, vehicles swept away, and millions struggling to survive. The spread of diseases like leptospirosis, which is transmitted through contaminated water and rats, causing severe liver damage, has further fueled public discontent. People are questioning why their tax money isn’t being used to prevent floods and improve infrastructure. The public is enraged as the government claimed to have spent billions on flood control projects, yet the results were only visible on paper.