Manila was full of tension this past weekend. On September 21, 2025, thousands of people took to the streets. They were protesting against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s government. The huge demonstrations followed shocking reports of widespread corruption. The allegations involved a major flood prevention project. Lawmakers and government officials stand accused of taking bribes and rigging bids. They reportedly pocketed money from the project’s massive budget.
The protests began mostly peacefully. However, things turned ugly near the Malacañang Palace. About 100 protesters faced off against police. They threw rocks and sticks at officers. At least 70 police officers were hurt. Police used tear gas to break up the crowd. They arrested dozens of people. Authorities are still checking if those arrested were direct instigators or just nearby protesters.
More than 33,000 people joined the protests across Manila. This made it one of the largest public movements in years. The corruption claims involve building new flood barriers and drainage dams. These projects cost billions of pesos. But reports say the costs were greatly inflated. Some projects barely got off the ground.
Political experts in the Philippines are watching closely. They warn that the government faces a tough test. If officials do not act strongly, the protests could grow. Protecting powerful people tied to the scandal could be dangerous. Some compare the situation to a recent event in Nepal. There, a major corruption scandal led to a government collapse. Public anger grew too strong for the government to survive.
Local media also reports a firestorm on social media. People are discussing the flood project scandal nonstop. Many compare it to the political crisis in Nepal. They are asking direct questions. Can the Marcos Jr. government make it through this crisis? The coming days will show how the administration handles this challenge to its authority.