Bangladesh, Sept. 15 -- The Philippines is facing a surge of public anger over a multibillion-peso flood control scandal that has not only tarnished the governments credibility but also reawakened a wave of student activism reminiscent of the countrys most turbulent political moments. What began as scattered demonstrations has rapidly evolved into a nationwide movement of outrage, marked by walkouts, rallies, and renewed calls for accountability.

On September 12, the University of the Philippines main campus in Quezon City became the epicenter of dissent. More than 3,000 students and lecturers abandoned their classrooms to rally against what they described as deeply entrenched corruption in flood control projects. The atmosphere carried ...