President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday defended the independent probe into alleged corruption involving flood-control and other infrastructure projects, saying even his allies and relatives will not be spared from scrutiny.
The president’s comments came from reports linking House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of the president, and former House appropriations committee chairman Zaldy Co as alleged central figures in the flood control projects mess.
“Well, there’s only one way to do it… They will not be spared. Nobody—anybody can say ‘we don’t favor anyone; we don’t help anyone…’ But no one will believe you until you do it, so we will do it,” Mr. Marcos said in response to questions about how the administration can convince the public that the panel will probe allies without fear or favor.
President Marcos has ordered the creation of an independent commission to investigate alleged irregularities in flood control and other infrastructure projects after televised testimonies and media reports raised fresh corruption allegations.
Marcos has described the reports as “horrible” and pledged the probe would be impartial. He also acknowledged the anger that people felt because of these issues, saying he, too, is angry about what’s happening.
“You have to remember: I brought this up and it is [in] my interest that we find a solution to what has become a very egregious problem,” he told reporters in a press conference.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco accused Co of inserting billions of pesos into the 2025 budget that benefited other districts, charges that have intensified calls for accountability and for leaders to explain how they will clean up procurement and project implementation.
Romualdez has denied wrongdoing in public statements and rejected allegations that his name was used to secure commissions or kickbacks. The speaker’s office has said that any insinuations are false.
The controversy has roiled the capital and renewed scrutiny of how infrastructure funds are allocated and monitored, prompting lawmakers, civil society groups, and the public to demand transparent investigations and possible criminal prosecutions if evidence of corruption is found.
