Manila, Philippines – Tens of thousands of Filipinos took to the streets of Manila on Sunday, November 30, 2025, to demand the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid a widening corruption scandal linked to government-funded flood-control infrastructure projects. The protest, one of the largest public demonstrations in recent years, highlighted growing public outrage over allegations that high-ranking officials, including Marcos and his allies, pocketed billions in bribes from “ghost” or defective infrastructure contracts.

Massive Rally Against Corruption Organized by KBKK

The rally was spearheaded by the Kilusang Bayan Kontra-Kurakot (KBKK), also known as the People’s Movement Against Corruption. Protesters gathered at Manila’s historic Luneta National Park, marching toward the Malacañang presidential palace while carrying symbolic effigies of President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, depicting the leaders as “corrupt crocodiles.”

Chants of “Marcos Resign” and placards demanding accountability for “all corrupt politicians” filled the streets, as demonstrators expressed frustration over the so-called “Trillion-Peso” corruption scandal. Organizers estimated that over 20,000 people participated in the protest.

Background of the Trillion-Peso Scandal

The protest stems from revelations that Marcos and several allied politicians allegedly took kickbacks from flood-control infrastructure projects worth hundreds of billions of pesos. Many of these projects were either incomplete or poorly constructed, exacerbating the devastation caused by recent typhoons, which claimed over 250 lives in affected areas.

Two cabinet ministers have already resigned amid the scandal, while former lawmaker Zaldy Co, accused of funneling illicit funds, claimed Marcos instructed him to insert $1.7 billion into the budget for “dubious public works” projects during his tenure as head of the appropriations committee. Marcos has denied all allegations.

Public Outrage Fueled by Typhoon Destruction

The catastrophic impact of recent typhoons in the Philippines has intensified public anger. Citizens have criticized the government for mismanaging flood-control projects that were supposed to prevent such widespread devastation. Protesters argue that the alleged misappropriation of funds directly contributed to unnecessary loss of life and property damage.

Among the protesters was 21-year-old student Matt Wovi Villanueva, who had been detained during a previous protest in September. Speaking to reporters, Villanueva said, “Compared to September, we have more reasons to go back to the streets now. They keep treating us like fools. If we want real justice, we need Marcos and [Vice President Sara] Duterte to resign.”

Separate Opposition-Led Rally Calls for Duterte’s Resignation

In addition to the KBKK march, mainstream opposition groups, supported by the Catholic Church, organized the “Trillion Peso March” along the historic EDSA Avenue. Around 5,000 people participated, urging Vice President Duterte to resign, while awaiting concrete evidence of criminal activity by Marcos.

Heavy Police Presence at Protests

The Philippine National Police deployed over 12,000 officers to secure the capital, blocking roads leading to the presidential palace with barricades, container vans, and barbed wire. Protesters stopped about a block away but tore down effigies, chanting slogans like “Jail all the corrupt!” to express their dissent.

Allegations Against Marcos and Allies

Former lawmaker Zaldy Co alleged that since 2022, Marcos received over 50 billion pesos ($852 million) in kickbacks and added 100 billion pesos ($1.7 billion) for fictitious projects in the 2025 budget. Co also claimed to have personally delivered suitcases containing $17 million in cash to Marcos’ residence.

While Co himself is accused of corruption and has been a fugitive since July, Marcos responded by saying, “Anyone can go online and make all kinds of claims. For it to mean something, he should come home.”

Political activist Raymond Palatino of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) argued that the president bears responsibility for fraudulent spending: “He drafted, signed, and implemented the budget, a budget infested with pork barrel projects and anomalous insertions.”

Palatino called for Marcos and Duterte to step aside temporarily, allowing a civilian-led transition council to restore public trust and political accountability.

Government Response and Investigations

In response to public pressure, Marcos established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in September to investigate officials linked to corruption in flood-control projects. To date, 9,855 projects worth 545 billion pesos ($9 billion) are under review.

The Senate and House of Representatives have also conducted hearings, with Finance Secretary reports suggesting that up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) may have been lost to corruption since 2023. Among those implicated is Marcos’ cousin, Martin Romualdez, who has stepped down as House Speaker but denies wrongdoing.

Despite these investigations, experts note that the president’s credibility has suffered significantly. Political science Professor Sol Iglesias from the University of the Philippines commented, “The Marcos administration has been bleeding out its credibility… It would stretch the imagination that the president’s hands are clean, although we still haven’t seen the equivalent of a smoking gun.”

Growing Public Discontent Signals Political Tension

The November 30 protests reflect a broader national frustration over corruption, lack of accountability, and government inefficiency. With millions of pesos potentially misappropriated from essential public works, citizens continue to demand transparency and ethical governance. The ongoing tension between the administration and civil society groups underscores a volatile political climate in the Philippines.