菲律宾万人游行抗议防洪工程腐败，马科斯面临重大政治危机

Core Points - The Philippines is facing a significant political crisis due to a corruption scandal involving flood control projects, with at least 15 contractors accused of colluding with government officials and lawmakers to embezzle funds and create "ghost projects" that were budgeted but never started [1][9][14] - The Philippine government estimates that corruption in flood control projects has caused over 118.5 billion pesos (approximately 14.8 billion RMB) in economic losses from 2023 to the present [1][9] - A large-scale protest, termed the "trillion peso march," occurred on September 21, marking the largest demonstration since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, with over 30,000 participants demanding accountability and the recovery of stolen public funds [1][11][14] Summary by Sections Corruption Scandal - The scandal involves 15 contractors who have been awarded contracts worth over 100 billion pesos for nearly 10,000 flood control projects, with allegations of substandard work and the existence of ghost projects [2][5] - The Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways announced a review of the projects constructed by these contractors after discovering numerous instances of poor quality and unstarted projects [2][5] Government Response - President Marcos has ordered the establishment of an independent committee to investigate corruption in infrastructure projects and has canceled all flood projects scheduled for 2026 to redirect funds to education, health, and agriculture [7][9] - The investigation has led to the resignation of key officials, including the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, amid growing scrutiny and public outrage [6][9] Public Reaction - The protests were organized by various civil society groups, political organizations, and religious groups, highlighting widespread public anger over the corruption and its impact on disaster preparedness and response [11][12] - Protesters emphasized the need for accountability from both politicians and contractors, calling for a halt to corrupt practices that undermine public trust and safety [11][12] Economic Implications - Analysts warn that unresolved corruption issues could deter investors, leading to a negative cycle for the Philippine economy, as public funds are mismanaged and essential infrastructure projects are compromised [1][14] - The scandal has raised concerns about the systemic corruption in climate-related spending, with estimates suggesting that over 1 trillion pesos in climate-related expenditures could be at risk due to corruption [9][14]