Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos protested in Manila against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, demanding accountability for a corruption scandal involving multibillion-dollar flood control projects. The protests, organized by the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) sect, marked a significant reversal from their previous support for Marcos in the 2022 presidential election.

The INC’s demands include a “proper and transparent” investigation into the alleged misuse of funds, which has sparked a deeper political feud between Marcos and his former ally, Vice President Sara Duterte. The INC’s show of force on Sunday, with over half a million attendees, demonstrates their formidable influence in Philippine politics.

*Key Developments:*

– *Protest Details*: The three-day rally, which ended a day early, aimed to bring attention to the corruption scandal and push for accountability.

– *Government Response*: Marcos has promised arrests in the corruption case before Christmas, and the government has frozen $3 billion in assets suspected of being linked to the bribery scheme.

– *Political Feud*: The scandal has intensified the power struggle between Marcos and Duterte, with the INC siding with Duterte.

– *Impact*: The protests come after two powerful typhoons left over 250 people dead, many due to flooding and failed infrastructure ¹ ².