As large-scale protests against privileges and corruption among high-ranking government officials continue in several Asian countries, an anti-corruption protest has also erupted in the Philippines.
According to the Associated Press and others on the 21st (local time), about 8,000 people (police estimate) gathered in and around Rizal Park in central Manila, the Philippine capital, on Tuesday morning to protest alleged corruption in politics.
Waving placards that read "We work and pay the price for thieves," they condemned alleged bribery by members of both the House and the Senate in connection with recent flood-control projects.
Frequently hit by flooding due to typhoons and other factors, the Philippines has invested about 545 billion Philippine pesos (about 13.2 trillion won) in more than 9,800 flood-control projects over the past three years, and it has recently been revealed in succession that lawmakers accepted bribes.
Ralph Recto, Minister of Finance, estimated that the economic loss from corruption in these projects would reach about 42.3 billion to 118.5 billion Philippine pesos (about 1.03 trillion to 2.88 trillion won) from 2023 through this year. Earlier this month, the government formed an independent commission to investigate possible corruption in the projects and file criminal charges against those responsible.
The day marks the anniversary of the 1972 declaration of martial law by former President Ferdinand Marcos (in office 1965–1986), the father of current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who gained notoriety for corruption and dictatorship. Rizal Park is also one of the symbolic sites of the 1986 "People Power" movement that ousted Marcos.
Francis Aquino Dee, one of the protest leaders, told Philippine broadcaster GMA News, "There are people suffering from floods," adding, "Meanwhile, those accused of being involved in corruption flaunt their luxurious lifestyles on social media (SNS)."
Earlier in Indonesia, protests against parliamentary perks spread nationwide late 4th, leading to arson and looting. In Nepal, massive anti-government protests on 8th–9th led to the replacement of the prime minister, the head of government, and in East Timor, there were protests against lawmakers' purchases of new vehicles and lifetime pensions.