Major Corruption in Philippine Flood Control Project: Seven Arrested

International Desk, PNN

Philippine authorities have arrested seven individuals over widespread corruption in a flood control project. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed this information in a video message on Monday, stating that this is just the first step in investigating the highly publicized “ghost infrastructure” scandal.

The anti-corruption special court Sandiganbayan has already accepted cases against a dozen individuals. Investigations are ongoing in many other projects, according to the government. According to the Philippine Department of Finance, the fake projects caused losses of 118.5 billion pesos—approximately 2 billion dollars.

Marcos noted that two suspects have indicated their willingness to surrender, but seven remain at large. He warned that if they cooperate, everyone involved will be brought under the law.

Marcos specifically mentioned former congressman Jaldi Co. His family-owned Sunwest Corporation was the contractor for a 289-million-peso dam project on the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Oriental Mindoro province, which is the first target of the corruption investigation.

Philippine Interior Secretary John Vic Remulla said Jaldi Co. has fled the country, but three suspects located in the U.S., New Zealand, and Jordan could soon surrender at the respective embassies. “Wherever you are in the world, you will be found,” he warned.

According to Philippine media Rappler, at least eight officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including regional directors, engineers, and bidding officers, have been arrested as of Monday.

President Marcos pledged that no senator, congressman, or influential businessman involved in corruption will be spared. “Many will be in jail before Christmas,” he said.

Due to the corruption, actual flood control infrastructure construction was delayed, causing the poorest communities to suffer the most. Earlier this month, two super typhoons hit within just a week, claiming over 250 lives.

Experts warn that due to climate change and rising sea temperatures, the Philippines is likely to face more frequent and intense storms. If corruption weakens flood defenses, future loss of life could be even higher.