Philippines (MNN) — Tens of thousands of Filipinos rallied in Manila on Sunday to protest alleged corruption in the nation.
The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons and storms per year. Critical flood-control projects were allocated billions of taxpayer dollars, but the Department of Finance estimates that up to two billion dollars have been lost to corruption since 2023.
Flooded streets in Malabon, Philippines (Photo courtesy of Tear Cordez via Pexels)
Pastor Herman serves with A3 in the Philippines. He says anger has swelled ever since President Marcos Jr. first said in July that there were anomalies in the flood-control projects.
“Some are what he calls ‘ghost projects,’ meaning the money has been released, but the project has not been done,” Herman explains.
Sunday’s protests were mostly peaceful, but violence broke out in certain parts of the city. At least 130 police officers were injured, and more than 200 people were arrested after the incidents.
“The cry of the people is really for accountability and punish[ment for] those who are responsible,” Herman says.
The Philippines has a track record of “peaceful revolutions,” Herman says. He thinks the protests will continue. “It will depend on how it develops, whether the president is serious in saying that this should be uncovered.”
If protests do continue, the Filipino Church has a significant opportunity. Pastor Herman says that in the Philippines, there is an emphasis on discipleship and sharing the gospel. Yet the Church also needs to actively speak biblical truth into current events.
“We are not really seeing the prophetic voice to speak the truth and denounce those who are involved in this corruption,” he says. “Pray for the Church, that the Church will also not just watch what’s happening, but be a voice for justice, truth, and righteousness.”
Another prayer request is for both peace and for fruit from protests, “so that the government will feel that this is really serious and people are really angry. I think that’s the only way this can have a resolution,” Herman says.
“I always see that what has happened is not just a turn of events, but really God is acting. Continue to support us and rally with us in seeking the Lord’s intervention.”
Header photo: An aerial view of the Baha sa Luneta protest at Rizal Park, Manila, on September 21, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Manila Public Information Office – Manila Public Information Office Facebook page, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.)
