Philippines - September 2025

On 21 September, tens of thousands of Filipinos protested the misappropriation of funds meant for flood relief projects, marking the largest anti-graft demonstration to take place since the 2013 ‘Million People March.’ The youth-led protests came after weeks of deadly flooding and follow a series of allegations that numerous lawmakers have received kickbacks from flood-relief projects in recent years. President Ferdinand Marcos established an independent commission to investigate the flood-control projects, while a Senate committee is conducting its own inquiry. While protests remained largely peaceful, some incidents of violence occurred, resulting in the use of tear gas and water cannons against protesters. According to media reports, more than 200 people–including some minors–were arrested, accused of stone throwing and arson. Rights experts have urged the government to conduct a probe into allegations of excessive force used against protesters.

Sources: The New York Times, Al Jazeera, Amnesty International, Rappler