Philippine authorities have taken seven suspects into custody and are pursuing several others in connection with a large corruption case tied to flood control projects, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Monday, as his administration moved to address growing public frustration over the alleged misconduct involving senior lawmakers.
Investigators say widespread irregularities have contributed to poor quality or incomplete flood control works in a country that faces frequent flooding and destructive weather. Allegations of high-level graft have also revived public memories of earlier political upheavals that unseated two former presidents, including Marcos’s late father.
The Sandiganbayan, the country’s anti-corruption court, has filed charges against an initial group of more than a dozen suspects. Those charged include Zaldy Co, a former member of the House of Representatives, alongside several Department of Public Works and Highways engineers. Authorities expect additional graft and corruption cases in the coming weeks, with the president earlier pledging action against implicated legislators and business figures before the end of the year.
The first case centers on alleged irregularities in flood control contracts in Oriental Mindoro province, including a 289 million peso river dike undertaken by Sunwest Corp., a construction company that officials say is linked to Co’s family.
Marcos said one suspect was arrested in Quezon City over the weekend while six others surrendered to police. Several people accused of helping conceal one of the suspects were also detained. “My advice to the remaining suspects is for all of you to surrender, do not wait to be pursued,” he said in a statement posted early Monday.
Read also: Vietnam Floods Kill 90, Several Remain Unaccounted For
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Co’s whereabouts remain unknown and that he is believed to be outside the country. Remulla added that three other suspects may surrender soon at Philippine embassies in the United States, New Zealand, and Jordan.
Witnesses appearing before Senate hearings and an independent commission formed by Marcos have alleged that current and former lawmakers received substantial kickbacks from preferred construction companies that secured major flood control contracts. Several public works officials have testified that they facilitated the arrangements and received payments in return.
Public protests have intensified as details of the investigation have emerged. Activists have pointed to the wealth displayed by key suspects, and a large demonstration backed by the Roman Catholic Church is scheduled for Nov. 30.
Among those implicated are Rep. Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin and former House speaker, who has denied wrongdoing but resigned from his position. Former Senate President Chiz Escudero has also stepped down after facing similar accusations, which he has strongly rejected.
Presidential aides say Marcos raised concerns about irregularities as early as July during his annual address to Congress.
Authorities are currently examining at least 9,855 flood control projects worth more than 545 billion pesos that were planned or undertaken since Marcos assumed office in 2022. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto told lawmakers in September that as much as 118.5 billion pesos intended for such projects may have been lost to corruption since last year.
Officials noted that some of the suspected anomalies may date back to the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, whose flood control projects will also be scrutinized.