Filipinos' Outcry Over Corruption Amid Severe Floods

Wed Oct 22 2025 08:10:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Intense flooding in the Philippines exposes rampant corruption, with citizens demanding accountability from leaders and contractors amidst daily struggles.

Severe flooding in the Philippines has led to widespread anger among citizens, who are calling out corrupt politicians and contractors for failing to provide adequate flood control measures. Local school teacher Crissa Tolentino's frustrations highlight the growing sentiment of betrayal as resources are misappropriated. The public's outrage is vented through social media and protests, with many demanding a thorough investigation into the misuse of public funds. The government is under pressure to act and restore public trust.

Crissa Tolentino has long been resigned to floods as a way of life. The 36-year-old public school teacher takes a paddle boat through the inundated streets nearly every day. It's the only way to travel from her home in the suburbs to the heart of Apalit, a low-lying town near the Philippine capital Manila. The boat takes her to work, and to the clinic where she is being treated for cancer. She says she only sees dry streets for about two months in the year.

But this year she is very angry. An unusually fierce monsoon has derailed daily life more than ever in the South East Asian nation, and sparked anger and allegations about corruption in flood control projects. The rains have stranded millions mid-commute, left cars floating in streets that have turned into rivers, and caused outbreaks of leptospirosis, a liver ailment that spreads through the excrement of sewer rats.

I feel betrayed, Ms. Tolentino says. I work hard, I don't spend too much and taxes are deducted from my salary every month. Then I learn that billions in our taxes are being enjoyed by corrupt politicians. This sentiment resonates widely throughout the Philippines, where citizens question why flooding cannot be mitigated despite billions being allocated to infrastructure projects.

Their anger is palpable on social media, as they vent against lawmakers and construction tycoons accused of profiting from 'ghost' projects. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr acknowledged the challenges on a visit to a flood control dam that turned out not to exist, where it was reported that 70% of funds for flood control have been lost to corruption. The public’s wrath culminated in planned protests, aiming to bring attention and demand accountability from both officials and contractors.

Rhens Rafael Galang, a government researcher, has turned the floods into a business, selling functional overalls as he navigates through inundated streets. He expresses a sentiment echoed by many, insisting that funds need to be allocated honestly for proper flood control solutions.