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.
An unusually fierce monsoon has derailed daily life more than ever in the South East Asian nation, and sparked anger and allegations about corruption in flood control projects.
The rains have stranded millions mid-commute, left cars floating in streets that have turned into rivers, and caused outbreaks of leptospirosis, a liver ailment that spreads through the excrement of sewer rats.
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.
It's a charge that is resonating across the Philippines, where people are asking why the government cannot tame the floods with the billions of pesos it pours into infrastructure like roads, bridges, and embankments.
Public frustration is palpable on TikTok, Facebook, and X, where citizens vent against lawmakers and construction tycoons alleged to win contracts for ghost projects that never materialize. President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. himself acknowledged this on a visit to inspect a flood control dam that turned out not to exist, voicing a sentiment shared widely among citizens.
Following allegations that corruption has claimed a staggering 70% of public funds allotted for flood control, significant figures in the government, including the House Speaker, have resigned amid public outcry. The investigation continues as outrage has spilled onto the streets, with an anti-corruption protest planned for later this month, marking a historical moment reminiscent of protests that ended dictatorship decades ago.
The Filipino public's dissatisfaction is not just limited to their infrastructure but also extends to the lavish lifestyles of 'nepo babies' — the children of wealthy politicians and contractors, who are often accused of misusing taxpayer money for personal gain. Social media campaigns are calling them out, and reports of harassment against public works employees underscore the societal unrest.
Despite the chaos, individuals like Rhens Rafael Galang have found innovative ways to adapt, selling waterproof gear on TikTok. Yet, many remain hopeful for substantial changes regarding transparency and accountability in government spending, voicing a collective demand for justice against long-standing issues of corruption.
