President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is confronting one of the most serious crises of his administration: revelations that flood control infrastructure projects, costing over ₱545 billion (roughly US$9.5 billion) since 2022, are riddled with alleged corruption and underperformance.

Thousands of citizens are preparing to take to the streets of Manila on September 21 in what is being called the “Trillion Peso March,” demanding full accountability and sweeping reforms in government spending.

Marcos has responded by setting up an independent commission led by a former Supreme Court justice to investigate anomalies in flood control contracts that have been alleged to include “ghost” projects, substandard work, and payoffs to political figures.

He ordered the cancellation of all flood control projects for 2026, reallocating that budget toward sectors like education, healthcare and agriculture.

Despite the scandals, university students, religious groups, civil society organizations, and church leaders have mobilized large-scale protests, symbolically set for September 21—coinciding with the anniversary of Martial Law declared by Marcos Sr. in 1972.

Marcos Jr. has publicly accepted the legitimacy of these protests and urged that they remain peaceful.

Meanwhile, Beijing has further stirred tensions by approving plans to designate Scarborough Shoal—known in China as Huangyan Island—as a national nature reserve.

The disputed atoll lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone under international maritime law, but has been under de facto Chinese control since around 2012.

Philippine officials and local fishermen have protested, saying the reserve may be a pretext for strengthening China’s territorial grip — particularly over fishing rights and access.

Chinese state media claim the reserve is being established to protect ecology and biodiversity, while Philippine fishermen warn that increased coast guard presence could further restrict their access and threaten their livelihoods.

Manila has rejected the sovereignty implications of the move, calling it a violation of its maritime rights.

The combined domestic and external pressures place Marcos Jr. at a crossroad: he has pledged transparency, vetting of contractors, and no exemptions for powerful figures.

But political allies have already begun resignations, protests are growing, and trust in infrastructure governance is deeply shaken.

How he handles the investigations, and how quickly he can enact credible reforms, may define his legacy.