A Year On, Marcos' Flood Control Corruption Crackdown Lags

A year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to prosecute everyone involved in corruption in flood control projects, the crackdown shows limited progress, raising questions about its effectiveness. In his State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, Marcos declared, “In the coming months, we will file charges against those found at fault. Including their accomplices, contractors all over the country,” urging them to “Feel some shame toward your fellow Filipinos!” Currently, cases have been filed against at least 30 individuals, including 24 officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The list also includes a former Ako Bicol representative, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and former senator Bong Revilla. However, some implicated individuals, like former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, remain at large. The scandal extends beyond those formally charged. Rappler’s investigation revealed that some members of the Marcos Cabinet, dozens of House members, and local officials also served as government contractors, securing multimillion-peso infrastructure projects and raising concerns about conflicts of interest. The President’s cousin, Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, was implicated and resigned as speaker. Former budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman also resigned amid allegations of budget manipulation but was later appointed chair and CEO of the state-run Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank. The flood control corruption controversy sparked nationwide protests, with some calling for Marcos’ resignation. Investigations by both the House of Representatives and the Senate were launched. However, the House inquiry concluded quickly, deferring to a new investigation commission created by Marcos. This commission, however, operated for only six months, facing criticism over limited powers, resources, and transparency, before handing over its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman. Exact figures on the lost public funds remain unknown. Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson estimates that about 60% of the country’s flood control budget, totaling approximately P1.14 trillion (roughly $20 billion USD) over the past 15 years, has been pocketed. So far, authorities have recovered only P611.379 million (around $10.6 million USD). Social media users have highlighted the lavish lifestyles of children of contractors linked to the scandal. To address the corruption-plagued DPWH, Marcos appointed Vince Dizon, a close ally, to lead the agency. Dizon ordered the “unqualified courtesy resignation” of all incumbent undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and directors. He also identified dozens of alleged ghost and substandard projects nationwide. The administration launched a public reporting portal for suspected anomalous projects, receiving over 12,000 complaints in less than a month. Budget reforms have also been implemented. The House abolished its “small committee,” and bicameral conference committee deliberations were livestreamed for the first time. The DPWH removed P252 billion (around $4.4 billion USD) worth of locally-funded flood control projects from its proposed 2026 budget. As Congress prepares to deliberate the 2027 national budget, the effectiveness of these measures in combating corruption remains a key concern. Source: Rappler Philippines