Corruption protest Manila brought to standstill by rally

Viewed from a skyscraper in downtown Manila, a sea of white spreads out below, formed of more than half a million people clad in T-shirts that carry the slogan “transparency for a better democracy”.

- Tess McClure

An estimated 650,000 people gathered in the city centre to protest amid growing fury over a spiralling corruption scandal in which billions of dollars in flood mitigation funds have evaporated.

The three-day rally that began on Sunday has shut down schools, roads and offices. Many of those protesting have camped out all night in Manila’s Rizal Park, sleeping in tents or huddled beneath tarpaulins and umbrellas.

“We are Filipino ... that’s why we're here. We have decided to unite as one people to try to make our government better because there is so much corruption. Our money is being taken but the projects are never completed,” says Edward, 20, who has come from Batangas City, about two hours away. “There are so many floods and when the floods come there are so many issues.”