Tens of Thousands of Filipinos Rally to Protest Government Failures
Authorities deployed 16,433 police personnel to secure the dual protest sites: Rizal Park in Manila, where religious organization Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is staging its "Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy," and the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, where the United People's Initiative (UPI) is conducting its separate gathering.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is actively tracking the massive demonstrations, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez confirmed Sunday, according to a news agency.
"Yes, the president is monitoring today," Gomez told reporters, as thousands of INC members and supporters began their three-day protests at Rizal Park in Manila.
By 11 am (0300GMT), the Manila City government documented 27,000 participants at the site.
The Quezon City demonstration, orchestrated by the United People's Initiative—a coalition spearheaded by former military commanders—seeks to defend democratic principles by demanding enhanced accountability and governmental transparency.
The Quezon City rally will maintain a non-partisan stance, UPI Secretary-General Rey Valeros told reporters, according to media.
"No politician should even speak. We will allow them, however, if they will only speak about the problems of our country, like corruption," he said.
The protests erupted after the Southeast Asian nation endured Typhoon Fung-wong and Typhoon Kalmaegi this month, claiming at least 259 lives and impacting millions of residents, while 114 individuals remained unaccounted for.
In September, thousands rallied across multiple Philippine cities, including capital Manila, protesting alleged government corruption.
Demonstrations ignited after widespread fraud surfaced in approximately 9,855 flood-control infrastructure projects valued at over 545 billion pesos ($9.5 billion).
Demonstrators are demanding accountability from corrupt officials, public disclosure of asset declarations and net worth statements, and mandatory bank secrecy waiver signatures from all government personnel.
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