Category World News

In the capital of Manila, tens of thousands of people have marched to demand President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s resignation over a corruption scandal involving government funding for flood control infrastructure.

Protesters marched on the presidential palace on Sunday at the Luneta National Park in Manila, and the rally was organized by the Kilusang Bayan Kontra-Kurakot or the People’s Movement Against Corruption (KBKK).

Some carried Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte effigies and designated the pair as “corrupt-codiles,” while others held signs that read “Marcos Resign” and “All corrupt politicians must be held accountable.”

More than 20 000 people, according to organizers, are expected.

The “Trillion-Peso” scandal, in which powerful politicians, including Marcos’ allies, are accused of accepting billions of pesos in bribes for contracts on flood control infrastructure that were ultimately either defective or never built at all, is the final outburst of public outcry.

Public outcry has been fueled by the extensive damage caused by two recent powerful typhoons, which have killed more than 250 people.

A former lawmaker charged in the case, Zaldy Co, alleges that Marcos directed him to add $1.7 billion to the budget for “dubious public works” while he presided over an appropriations committee, while two cabinet ministers have since resigned over the scandal.

The allegations have not been proven by the president.

Matt Wovi Villanueva, a 21-year-old student, was one of those present at Sunday’s demonstration, which was followed by a similar protest in September at the presidential palace. Around 300 people were arrested by the police during that demonstration.

Villanueva claimed that he was then beaten and held for five days.

We now have more excuses to return to the streets than in September, Villanueva told Al Jazeera. They continue to treat us like fools. Marcos and Vice President Sara] Duterte must step down if we want genuine justice.

Duterte, the daughter of Marcos and former president Rodrigo Duterte, is the subject of separate allegations of government funding abuse.

A separate “Trillion Peso March” along historic EDSA Avenue was organized by mainstream opposition groups supported by the Catholic Church. The organization stated that they are only waiting for more detailed information about Marcos’ criminal activity to persuade Duterte to step down.

More than 17, 000 police officers were dispatched to Manila for the protests, blocking the KBKK protesters a block away from the city’s gates, and blocking all roads leading to the Malacanang presidential palace.

Former lawmaker Co earlier this month demanded that Marcos have been awarded more than 50 billion pesos ($852 million) in kickbacks from infrastructure projects since 2022, and has requested that the budget’s 100 billion pesos ($1.7 billion) be included in the “ghost projects” budget.

Co also claimed that Co delivered the Marcos residence suitcases worth US$ 1 billion (US$ $17) in cash in 2024.

Co has been a fugitive since July, with Japan his last known destination, and he is accused of pocketing billions from the same projects.

Anyone can make all kinds of claims online, Marcos said in response. He should return home, the president said, “For it to mean something.”

According to Raymond Palatino of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) or Bayan, a member of the KBKK, the president bears an undeniable responsibility for defrauding the public, whether or not he is accused.

He feignes surprise over the scope of corruption, Palatino claimed in an interview with Al Jazeera: “He drafted, signed, and implemented the budget, which was full of pork barrel projects and unusual insertions.”

Palatino referred to the extensive police presence as “overkill” and a “waste of public resources.” He urged Marcos and Duterte to step down “so the country can begin to heal and rebuild.”

Following their removal, Palatino urged the establishment of a temporary, civilian-led transition council to steer the nation’s political resurgence.

However, Claire Castro, the president’s press secretary, has refuted calls for his ouster, claiming that they are unlawful and are motivated by “vested interests.”

In his State of the Nation address to Congress in July, Marcos expressed concern about the scandal. He established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is tasked with examining officials who are linked to corruption, in September.

More than 545 billion pesos ($9 billion) are being looked into for some 9, 855 flood control projects.

Additionally, the House and Senate held their own hearings on the matter.

Up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) for flood control projects may have been lost to corruption since 2023, according to the finance secretary’s statement to lawmakers in September.

Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin and ally who has disputed any involvement but has resigned as speaker of the House of Representatives, is one of those who is being investigated.

Meanwhile, the ICI has not yet investigated president-related allegations of misconduct.

Political science professor Sol Iglesias of the University of the Philippines, a professor of political science, said, “The ICI investigations have not inoculated him from accusations of wrongdoing.”

In response to the protests and the police crackdown in September, she claimed that the “Marcos administration has been bleeding out its credibility.”

In cities across Europe, tens of thousands of people have marched against Israel’s continued and deadly violations of a United States-brokered ceasefire.

The demonstrations took place on Saturday to mark the UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Over 70 000 people were killed in Israel’s Gaza-related deaths.

Two boys, ages 8 and 10, were among the latest victims in the southern Gaza town of Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis, where an Israeli drone attacked.

An estimated 50, 000 people marched along Paris’ main streets in the city, chanting “Gaza, Gaza, Paris is with you” and “From Paris to Gaza, resistance”!

They also criticized “Israeli genocide” by waving Palestinian flags.

“This is unacceptable,” he declared. One protester told Al Jazeera, “We are still far away from justice or accountability.”

The people of Israel are aware that this war is wrong. But why do the people in power not accept this as unacceptable? a different protester was asked.

Seven weeks after a ceasefire was in effect on October 10, Anne Tuaillon, the head of the France Palestine Solidarity Association (AFPS), one of about 80 non-governmental organizations, unions, and parties behind the protest, declared that “nothing has been resolved.”

The ceasefire serves as a “smokescreen.” Every day, Israel obstructs humanitarian aid and continues to destroy Gaza’s homes and infrastructure. She addressed the AFP news agency, “We are calling for a permanent ceasefire and the end of the genocide.”

In Lisbon, Geneva, Rome, and London, protests were also held.

Sonia Gallego, a journalist from Paris, reported for Al Jazeera that the march “suspenses” Israel at a time when negotiations for a more lasting resolution in the Palestinian territory are still in limbo.

“This global mobilization maintains the focus on Gaza, as well as]on] the larger unresolved issue of Palestinian rights.”

Up to 100 000 people marched in the British capital, London, and demanded “protection” of those still living under siege despite a ceasefire.

The UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, and Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, were present for the main demonstration in Rome, where mass demonstrations and union-led strikes have repeatedly mobilized against Israel’s war.

Around 100, 000 people were expected to take part, according to a report from the Wanted In Rome news website prior to the rally.

Albanese claimed in a statement posted on X that Israel is “committing genocide against the Palestinians” in both the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

“Observe the crimes or conduct committed against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians.” We will stop Israel, she wrote.

Israel has reverted to a so-called “yellow line” inside the Gaza Strip under the US-brokered ceasefire. However, it continues to hold control of more than half of the besieged territory and has launched numerous deadly attacks against the agreement.

At least 347 Palestinians have been killed and 889 have been injured as a result of at least 500 Israeli violations since the ceasefire agreement was signed.

At age 10, Fadi and Jumaa Tamer Abu Assi, were, respectively, eight and ten.

Their uncle, Alaa Abu Assi, described the two boys as “innocent children who have no rockets and bombs.”

Their disabled father, who has platinum plates in his legs, was being helped by them by gathering firewood. He told the AFP news agency, “We went and found them in pieces, and we brought them back.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated in a statement that “the obstruction of humanitarian aid, the repeated displacement of an entire population, and the killing of so many civilians should never be acceptable.”

According to Al Jazeera’s reporter from Gaza City, the majority of Palestinians “are simply trying to survive,” according to Hind Khoudary, who is reporting from the country.

She said, “It’s a daily struggle.” “Palestinians are suffering to find shelter, and they are suffering to get their basic needs.”

“Many Palestinians still reside in tents,” the statement read. They assert that they lack no shelter. No medication is present. Their children lack education. Despite the ceasefire, the Palestinians are still slowly persuading, she continued.