Tens of thousands of Filipinos gathered in Manila for a second consecutive day of protests demanding accountability over alleged large-scale corruption in flood-mitigation infrastructure projects.

About the Protest

• Trigger – Audit Findings: The controversy erupted after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed findings from an internal audit in August.
  • The audit revealed widespread irregularities in flood-control projects, including substandard construction, non-existent projects, among others.
• Scale and Nature of the Protests: Over 600,000 people joined the protest on Sunday, organised by Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) — a powerful 2-million-strong religious organisation known for bloc voting and large-scale mobilisation.
• Demonstrators accused authorities of ineffective and insincere investigations, demanding independent and fair accountability without political protection for those involved.
• Political Context: The Philippines faces long-standing corruption in public works, particularly in disaster-response funding.
  • Patronage networks and political clan influence have weakened institutional checks.

Relevance to India

• The Philippines is an important partner for India under the Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
• Political instability may hinder bilateral cooperation in: 
  • Maritime security and South China Sea engagements
  • Defence procurement and joint exercises
  • Economic cooperation including infrastructure and digital partnerships

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About Philippines

• Location: The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia, located in the western Pacific Ocean.
• Maritime Borders: It shares maritime boundaries with Taiwan (north), Japan (northeast), Palau (east and southeast), Indonesia (south), Malaysia (southwest), Vietnam (west), and China (northwest).
• Political System: The Philippines is a democratic, constitutional republic, operating under a presidential system of governance.
• Geographical Features:
• • Surrounding Water Bodies: Philippine Sea (east), Celebes Sea (south), Sulu Sea (southwest), and South China Sea (west and north).
  • Highest Peak: Mount Apo on Mindanao Island.
  • Major Rivers: Cagayan River (longest), Agusan, Mindanao River (Pulangi), and Agno River.
  • Volcanic Landscape: Home to many active volcanoes including Mayon, Mount Pinatubo, and Taal Volcano.
  • Climate: Predominantly tropical and monsoonal with high rainfall and frequent typhoons.
• Biodiversity & Heritage: Recognised as one of the megadiverse countries globally, Philippines hosts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites –
  • Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
  • Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
  • Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

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