Floods, funds and ‘nepo babies’: Anger rises in the Philippines

September 19, 2025

Manila is bracing for a major anti-corruption protest on September 21 as public anger mounts over alleged misuse of billions in flood control funds and the lavish lifestyles of politically connected families.

The demonstration, set to coincide with the anniversary of martial law imposed by Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1972, comes amid revelations of “ghost projects” and a rising social media backlash against so-called “nepo babies,” the children of politicians and contractors flaunting wealth online.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced last month that an internal audit of flood management spending uncovered serious irregularities. Since 2022, 545 billion pesos (about \$9.5 billion) has been allocated for nearly 9,900 flood control projects. But investigators found that about 20 percent of contracts were awarded to just 15 firms, with several projects either incomplete or never built at all.

The findings have fueled public outrage, especially after days of heavy rain left Metro Manila and nearby provinces submerged. Despite large infrastructure budgets, communities remain unprotected. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto told a Senate hearing that corruption in flood control projects has cost the economy an average of \$2.1 billion annually from 2023 to 2025.

The economic planning minister estimated that 70 percent of funds meant for flood defenses were siphoned off. The scandal has already claimed a high-profile figure. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez resigned after being linked to irregularities, though he denied wrongdoing. Meanwhile, outrage has spilled into the digital space, where Filipinos have posted AI-generated videos depicting lawmakers as crocodiles, a symbol of greed. For residents living in flood-prone neighborhoods, the revelations feel deeply personal. “It’s almost every month now,” said Robie Yambot of Quezon City, who evacuates her children whenever the waters rise. “Floods come so fast we can’t save our belongings.” Others, like teacher Crissa Tolentino, expressed betrayal. “I work hard and pay taxes, and then I learn billions of our money are being enjoyed by corrupt politicians,” she said. The anger has crystallized online under the banner of “nepo babies.”

Social media users on Reddit, TikTok, Facebook and X are targeting the children of politicians and contractors accused of profiting from flood projects. A popular subreddit, lifestylecheckPH, has grown to nearly 7,000 members since late August, sharing screenshots of luxury travel and fashion posts. One daughter of a former congressman drew ridicule for pairing Fendi with Dior and carrying a Hermes Birkin bag. Some of those targeted have turned off comments or deactivated accounts. But activists are pressing on. “We will be relentless, we will be loud, and we will not look away until justice is served,” the collective Creators Against Corruption told the BBC. Public resentment has even forced changes in official behavior.

Workers at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which oversees flood projects, have been allowed to forgo uniforms after staff reported harassment in public. Marcos himself has attempted to align with the protesters. During a site visit last month, he expressed anger after seeing no progress at a dam project. “They didn’t work for even a single day,” he said. He has since ordered lifestyle checks on officials, particularly those linked to DPWH. Speaking ahead of the protest, he added, “Let them know how much they hurt you. Just make it peaceful.” The planned protest is expected to draw around 100,000 people across Metro Manila, backed by about 100 organizations. Organizers compare the movement to anti-corruption protests elsewhere in Asia, including Indonesia and Nepal. The Philippines itself has removed two presidents in past decades over graft scandals.

“Every administration has corruption cases,” said David Michael San Juan, convener of the alliance Tama Na. “But this time it’s worse, because the money was supposed to protect Filipinos from floods. The Philippines is already suffering from extreme climate change. Even places that never flooded before are going under water.” With lives and livelihoods at stake, many Filipinos now see the misuse of public funds not just as political failure, but as a betrayal of survival itself.