PBBM: No one spared in flood control corruption probe

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO Photo)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured that the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) would investigate alleged anomalies in flood control projects without sparing anyone.

This as Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco implicated the President’s cousin, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and former House appropriations panel chair and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co for the alleged anomalies.

“Well, there’s only one way to do it, isn’t there? They will not be spared. Nobody, anybody will say, ah, hindi, wala tayong kinikilingan, wala tayong tinutulungan. Wala namang maniniwala siya hanggang gawin mo eh (They will not be spared. We have no favorites, no one we are protecting. No one will believe it until it is actually done),” Marcos told reporters in Malacañang.

The President also drew a contrast between the ICI and ongoing congressional inquiries, citing the new commission’s independence and politics-free setup.

“Nag-imbestiga sila (They are investigating) but they’re investigating themselves, which is always a little bit of a difficult situation. It’s hard to be fair. That is why we have taken great pains to make sure that that independence is respected, is recognized, and is observed. That’s what we plan to do,” he said.

He said that unlike the House and Senate, the commission’s members have “no ties to any part of government,” except for Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who was tapped as consultant.

Marcos also rejected claims by think tank Ibon Foundation that billions of pesos in flood control allocations were concentrated on ruling parties, saying the real issue lies in implementation.

“Siyempre the majority party is the majority party so silang pinakamarami (Of course the majority party is the majority party, so they are the most numerous)… The problem here is not the amount. The problem here is the use of those funds,” he said.

The ICI, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., will also include former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. executive Rossana Fajardo.

The commission was prompted by revelations of widespread irregularities in multi-billion peso flood control projects.

The President has since cancelled all flood control allocations for 2026 and ordered savings redirected to social and economic services.

Marcos said the ICI would wield subpoena powers but not contempt authority, as it is not a prosecutorial body. It will submit findings to the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, or Civil Service Commission for prosecution or administrative action.

“What I want to stress here is that the independent nature of this commission. Hindi kami mangingialam sa trabaho nila (We will not interfere in their work),” Marcos said.

The President said the body committed to meet daily to expedite the probe, describing it as a “turning point” in governance reforms.