The President of the Philippines pledged on Thursday to apprehend those responsible for fraudulent flood control projects before Christmas. This promise comes in the aftermath of two devastating typhoons that left large areas of the nation submerged.
Numerous construction firm owners, government officials, and lawmakers, including President Ferdinand Marcos’ cousin, a congressman, are accused of misappropriating funds for substandard or fictitious infrastructure projects.
The Department of Finance estimates that the Philippine economy could lose up to 118.5 billion pesos (about $2 billion) from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects.
Criminal charges against most of those involved are nearing completion, Marcos informed reporters.
“We don’t initiate cases for show. We pursue them to ensure justice,” he stated.
“They won’t enjoy a merry Christmas… their joyful days are over.”
Marcos highlighted the issue of fictitious infrastructure projects in his national address in July, and public outrage has since intensified.
When asked if his cousin, Martin Romualdez, would face charges, Marcos responded “not as yet,” citing insufficient evidence but stressing that “no one is exempt from this investigation.”
The Philippines is still dealing with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which struck on Sunday evening, flooding numerous villages and claiming at least 27 lives.
Fung-wong followed closely after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which impacted the central region of the archipelago, resulting in at least 232 fatalities.
