A quick guide to the flood control anomalies in the Philippines
The Philippine flood control scandal has exploded into one of the country’s largest corruption crises in decades, exposing the scale of wasted funds and institutional decay. Sparked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2025 State of the Nation Address, the scandal revealed “ghost projects” — incomplete, substandard, or entirely non-existent flood control works — despite billions allocated. Investigations by Congress, the Commission on Audit, and whistleblowers pointed to systemic collusion among senators, congressmen, DPWH officials, and contractors, with Bulacan emerging as the epicenter. High-profile politicians, including Senators Estrada, Villanueva, and Revilla, as well as former Speaker Romualdez, were implicated in kickbacks and budget insertions.
To restore confidence, Marcos created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, although doubts persist about its independence. Meanwhile, the Anti-Money Laundering Council froze hundreds of accounts and luxury assets linked to suspects, while the Ombudsman filed graft cases.
The scandal carries immense costs: ₱118.5 billion lost between 2023 and 2025, slower economic growth, weakened investor trust, and worsened vulnerability to floods. Protests have erupted, intensifying political rivalries ahead of the 2028 elections. While reforms such as canceled projects, fund realignments, and stricter audits are underway, the crisis ultimately tests whether the Philippine state can overcome entrenched corruption and deliver genuine accountability.
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