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PoliticsPhilippines

Philippines: Why is Gen Z protesting?

02:38

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Chantal Eco in Manila
September 23, 2025

Young protesters have taken to the streets over an infrastructure corruption scandal involving billions of dollars. The demonstrators say they want to hold officials accountable.

Youth-led demonstrations filled the streets of Manila, Philippines, last weekend. Organizers estimated that around 130,000 turned out.

Protesters are angry over a massive corruption scandal. Flood-control projects were revealed to be either substandard or nonexistent. And lawmakers are accused of taking bribes.

"It's difficult. And if the system continues like this, what future will the people have? I also don't want the next generations, my future children, my future family, to experience this," Eimeevelle Basco, a student, told DW.

Protesters want to hold corrupt officials accountable. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he did not blame the protesters.

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