President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a forceful warning on Thursday to individuals implicated in alleged irregularities tied to flood-control projects, declaring that those responsible will be behind bars before the Christmas holidays.
“Palagay ko bago mag…hindi, hindi ‘palagay ko’…alam ko bago mag Pasko marami dito sa napangalanan dito ay palagay ko nasa ano na, matatapos na ‘yung kaso nila, buo na ‘yung kaso,” Marcos said, stressing that several cases are already nearing completion. Pressed on when the arrests would take place, he replied: “Makukulong na sila, wala silang Merry Christmas.”
Marcos detailed the government’s progress three months after launching a sweeping probe into questionable flood-control projects nationwide. He highlighted tax-evasion complaints filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue against contractors and government officials, noting that billions of pesos are expected to return to state coffers. “Ako nakakatiyak ako marami pa tayong mababawi dito eh, so patuloy naming gagawin ‘yan,” he said.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon earlier affirmed that arrests are certain before year-end. “Yes, that is for sure,” he said in a Viber message. He added that two cases involving at least 41 suspects will be filed before Christmas. According to him, the Ombudsman plans to lodge both complaints within the month. Dizon said the cases—covering 26 individuals in Bulacan and 15 in Oriental Mindoro—are non-bailable. He identified some of those facing detention, including contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya, former Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, and former Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez.
Marcos also confirmed that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), created to audit public works projects completed over the last decade, has transmitted its first batch of referrals implicating 37 people. These include former DPWH officials, contractors, and several politicians. Asked if former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was among them, he said: “I don’t think so because the only evidence that has been made against him is in the Senate,” later adding, “With the speaker, no. Not as yet, not as yet. If something else comes out, then he might have to be answerable to something.”
He underscored that the government’s actions would be strictly evidence-based. “Walang immune dito, walang exempted sa imbestigasyon na ito,” Marcos said, rejecting claims of selective accountability.
The President was also asked about former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who is linked to the same controversy. Marcos responded that the government cannot cancel Co’s passport until formal charges are filed. “When the time comes, we will immediately cancel his passport,” he said.
The controversy gained national attention after Marcos disclosed during his July State of the Nation Address that 5,500 flood-control projects had been completed, a claim widely questioned amid widespread flooding. He later ordered a review of nearly 10,000 projects completed within the last three years and revealed that P100 billion—about 20 percent of the P545-billion mitigation budget—went to only 15 contractors, including firms tied to the Discaya couple.
Public outrage intensified following reports of overpriced or nonexistent flood-control projects allegedly facilitated through collusion among lawmakers, contractors, and DPWH officials. A nationwide protest on September 21 and circulating rumors of military unrest prompted the administration to form the ICI.
The commission has since held closed-door hearings, drawing criticism for lack of transparency. While the ICI committed to livestream future sessions, it has so far declined to release recordings of earlier proceedings.
