Introduction
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.
The Current Crisis
An unusually fierce monsoon has derailed daily life more than ever in Southeast Asia, sparking anger and allegations about corruption in flood management initiatives. The rains have left millions stranded mid-commute, submerged vehicles in streets turned rivers, and outbreaks of leptospirosis, a liver ailment associated with filthy water.
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 charge resonates across the nation, with many questioning why their government cannot manage flooding despite immense public spending.
Social Media Fury
Public anger is palpable on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X, where citizens target lawmakers and construction tycoons accused of benefiting from ghost projects—initiatives that lack any real execution. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr himself acknowledged this on a recent inspection of a dam that he then discovered didn’t exist, while his economic minister asserted that 70% of public funds for flood control had been lost to corruption.
Rising Protests and Accountability Demands
Anti-corruption demonstrations are being staged, with the public growing more vocal about their dissatisfaction. Many Filipinos are stitching together AI-generated videos depicting lawmakers as crocodiles, symbolic of greed. The outrage has also spread to 'nepo babies', the children of wealthy politicians, whose luxurious lifestyles on social media have drawn scrutiny.
In response to public outcry, President Marcos has announced inquiries aimed at uncovering corruption within flood control projects. Meanwhile, the scrutiny is focusing on one couple who gained media attention for their wealth but are now being called to account amidst the floods.
Conclusion
The frustrations of ordinary Filipinos are amplified not just by extreme weather, but by the perceived failures of those in power. The upcoming protests and increased demands for accountability signal that the citizens are not willing to accept the status quo any longer. As hope stirs for a long-term solution to their flooding crisis, many are united in calling for justice against corruption.
