Manila, Philippines – The government of the Philippines is reeling from a massive corruption scandal involving an estimated ₱545 billion ($9.52 billion) in public funds allocated for flood control projects since 2022. Responding to severe flooding and widespread public fury, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has initiated an independent investigation, vowing that "no individual, regardless of status, will be exempt from scrutiny."
The controversy, which escalated in august 2025, centers on allegations of misallocated funds, incomplete infrastructure, and non-existent "ghost" projects. President Marcos himself criticized a flood mitigation structure in Bulacan, labeling it a ghost project and highlighting the systemic failures in project execution and transparency.
Explosive testimony in an ongoing inquiry has implicated numerous high-ranking officials. At least 17 congressmen and several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been accused of demanding substantial kickbacks from contractors. The scandal has already led to the resignation of the public works secretary and prompted economic sabotage charges against some contractors who allegedly received a disproportionate share of the budget for unfinished work.
In a decisive move to address the crisis, President Marcos announced the cancellation of all flood control projects slated for 2026, reallocating the funds to the education, health, and agriculture sectors. Furthermore, he has removed ₱16.7 billion worth of flood control projects from the 2025 national budget.
To ensure an impartial investigation, the president appointed former supreme court associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. to chair the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). The commission is tasked with probing the full extent of the corruption and restoring public trust.
The scandal has ignited public outrage, with civil society groups planning large-scale protests on september 21, the anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the president's late father. President Marcos has endorsed the public's right to peaceful demonstration, stating his administration supports the expression of outrage over corruption.
Amid the political turmoil, defense and military leaders have publicly reaffirmed their allegiance to the constitutional chain of command, rejecting any calls for the armed forces to withdraw support from the administration and emphasizing the military's non-partisan role.
Adding another layer to the infrastructure controversy, indigenous groups have raised alarms over a separate dam project proposed in the president's political stronghold. Community leaders argue they were not properly consulted on the project's significant environmental risks, fueling suspicions of hidden agendas behind major infrastructure developments in the country.
As the independent investigation proceeds and calls for criminal prosecution and the restitution of stolen funds intensify, the Philippines faces a critical test of its commitment to accountability and good governance. The situation remains fluid, with the nation closely watching the outcome of the probe and the administration's next steps.