Flood control projects scandal in the Philippines
Since 2024, a series of allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and irregularities in government-funded flood management projects have been occurring in the Philippines under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos. The controversy centers on billions of pesos allocated for flood management initiatives, reports of "ghost" projects, substandard construction, and the alleged cornering of contracts by a small group of favored contractors. In response, a series of protests against alleged corruption began.
Background
On July 25, 2025, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, sent a pastoral letter to his diocese stating that alleged corruption in the government had led to flooding in various parts of the Philippines, which affected thousands of people. He said that government records show more than allocated to flood control projects in Malabon and Navotas since 2023, but residents in these areas have faced problems with non-functioning floodgates, clogged canals, and poor infrastructure. David also questioned in alleged "questionable insertions" in the 2025 national budget.In his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, President Marcos reported that his administration had implemented over 5,500 flood control projects and announced plans for at least ten large-scale projects amounting to more than over the next 13 years. The Department of Public Works and Highways justified these projects as urgent measures to mitigate flooding, particularly in Metro Manila and Central Luzon, but admitted that poor waste management practices were aggravating the flooding problem.
Marcos later vetoed worth of flood control projects included in the 2025 national budget, citing redundancy and improper project placement. ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio questioned why Marcos did not assert his veto powers for the 2023 and 2024 budget.
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Ping Lacson and House representatives Renee Co, Chel Diokno, Sarah Elago, and Antonio Tinio questioned the inclusion of unprogrammed funds in the national budget. Unprogrammed appropriations, according to them, have been the source of corruption-laden government projects. The proposed 2026 national budget includes in unprogrammed funds, which the lawmakers say will ensure the continuation of corruption in government. In 2023 and 2024, Marcos freed up unprogrammed funds worth for "priority" infrastructure projects under DPWH, half of which——went to flood control projects.
The Right to Know Right Now Coalition noted how congressional insertions and unprogrammed funds that went into flood-control projects rose significantly in 2023 and 2024, while Martin Romualdez was House Speaker, Zaldy Co was the House Committee on Appropriations chair, Francis Escudero was Senate president, and Joel Villanueva was majority floor leader.
Allegations of corruption and irregularities
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation
In August 2025, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee launched a motu proprio investigation dubbed Philippines Under Water into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.- "Ghost" projects: DPWH officials acknowledged possible "ghost" projects in Bulacan, particularly in Calumpit, Hagonoy, and Malolos, where Wawao Builders reportedly bagged worth of contracts. According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, a lawyer provided insight into a "ghost" project in Central Luzon, suggesting that the contractor could receive up to 40% of the project.
- License renting schemes: Reports emerged that contractor licenses rated triple-A or quadruple-A were being leased to smaller builders, a practice linked to substandard construction output.
- Contractor monopolies: Senators alleged that a small group of contractors had cornered contracts worth around, raising concerns over competition and transparency. Marcos revealed that only 15 out of 2,409 of the accredited contractors were awarded ₱100 billion, or 18% of the entire flood mitigation budget allocated by his administration from July 2022 to May 2025.
Misallocation and quality issues
Bribery attempt
On August 22, 2025, Representative Leandro Leviste reported to the Taal Municipal Police an alleged bribery by DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo at his office in Taal, Batangas. The bribery was intended to stop an investigation by the House of Representatives into alleged corruption involving the DPWH's flood control projects in the district. Calalo was arrested in an entrapment operation later that day. On August 26, Leviste filed bribery and corruption cases against Calalo before the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor. He also urged Calalo to be a state witness in such investigation. On the same day, the DPWH suspended Calalo.Flood mitigation conflict in Oriental Mindoro
In Oriental Mindoro, a dispute arose between Governor Humerlito Dolor and the provincial board over his dredging-based flood control program, which the latter questioned for its legality and transparency. The provincial board called for investigations, while Dolor defended the initiative as cost-free and compliant with environmental laws. He also criticized the provincial board for ignoring failed DPWH flood control projects in the province.Flood control project collapse in Lucena
In August 2025, a flood control project in Lucena, Quezon, under the office of Representative David Suarez, collapsed, raising significant public concern. The project, built along the Dumacaa River near the city proper, drew criticism after a video circulated showing part of the structure falling apart; observers noted it appeared to have been constructed with a mix of sand and cement and featured minimal steel reinforcement. Critics have cited this as a clear indicator of poor construction practices and possible misuse of infrastructure funds. As of the latest reports, neither Suarez nor the Department of Public Works and Highways has issued an official explanation regarding the collapse or project details. Residents have called for investigations from the Commission on Audit and relevant agencies to ensure accountability. The incident renewed broader discussions about anomalies and corruption in flood control funding currently under Senate investigation."For Sale" scheme
On August 28, 2025, during an interview over DZBB-AM, Quirino Governor and former ULAP president Dakila Cua cited a mayor in one of the towns in his province who requested flood control projects worth hundreds of millions of pesos, despite other urgent infrastructure projects are needed. The mayor, who was not identified, asked barangay officials to sign the requests on the day of State of the Nation Address. According to reports, a contractor close to the mayor had already purchased the projects.Notable contractors and political affiliations
Discaya-linked firms
Construction companies owned by married couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, St. Timothy Construction Corporation and Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation, were involved in government flood control contracts in Bulacan and Iloilo City. In August 2025, President Marcos criticized a flood mitigation structure in Bulacan, calling it a "ghost" project due to its visibly unfinished and structurally deficient state, despite its budget. Local officials in Iloilo City similarly reported that Discaya-linked projects were delayed or failed to function as intended.Separately, the couple drew public scrutiny after media features revealed their ownership of around 40 luxury vehicles, including a Cadillac Escalade, Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and Mercedes-Maybach GLS, with an estimated total value of to . In response, the Bureau of Customs launched an investigation into whether the vehicles were properly declared, taxed, and legally imported. BOC commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno noted that seizure or additional tax liabilities could result if the probe reveals deficiencies. Access to vehicles stored in residential property, however, remains contingent on obtaining a court-issued warrant or Letter of Authority. Civil society, including youth groups and political leaders, criticized the conspicuous display of wealth amid allegations that Discaya-linked companies benefited from flood control contracts, some of which are under Senate scrutiny. Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, who had defeated Discaya in the 2025 Pasig mayoral election, described the spectacle as "bad regardless of the source" and called for accountability.
In September 2025, it was revealed that Senator Bong Go's family was a business partner of the Discayas for years, partnering with CLTG Builders, owned by his father, Desiderio, for over in infrastructure projects in the Davao Region in 2017. The two construction companies had partnered to secure five infrastructure projects in Davao, owned by Sarah's husband, Curlee Discaya. Desiderio Go signed contracts with DPWH as the "Authorized Managing Officer" and represented the two companies. According to the DPWH database, it was shown that five joint projects for road construction have already been completed.
On September 1, 2025, Sarah Discaya attended a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing and revealed that her nine construction firms have sometimes been involved in bidding for the same government flood control projects simultaneously. Initially, Discaya denied the allegation, but Senate President pro tempore and committee vice-chairperson Jinggoy Estrada pressed for data from the DPWH, in which Discaya admitted to. This was the first time Discaya attended the Senate probe after being subpoenaed for skipping the August 19 hearing. Two out of fifteen contractors, who received 20% of the country's flood control budget worth over the past three years, denied involvement in ghost projects being investigated by the government. All 15 were present, except Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation and MG Samidan Construction. Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, and vice-chairperson Erwin Tulfo questioned Discaya about her ownership of Alpha & Omega and eight other companies she claims are co-owned by her. Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto inquired about the commencement of flood control projects by Discaya's companies from the DPWH. Discaya admitted that she began working with the DPWH in 2012, focusing on major projects from 2016 onwards, primarily in the provinces.
On September 20, 2025, a flood control project was halted after the revocation of the company's license. Phase 1 of the project in Lacaste Village, Barangay Pasonanca, Zamboanga City is completed, while Phase 2 is 72% complete and Phase 3 is 57% complete. Phase 2, valued at, was set for May 26 to June 26, 2026, and Phase 3, worth, was scheduled from January 14 to December 2026.