Philippine Flood-Control Corruption Inquiry Implicates Multiple Lawmakers

A major corruption scandal has erupted in the Philippines involving flood-control projects, with multiple senators and at least 17 House legislators accused of demanding substantial kickbacks from construction companies. Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva deny allegations that they received 30% kickbacks from multi-million peso projects, while contractor owners Pacifico and Sarah Discaya testified that legislators demanded over 25% of project costs as bribes to secure government contracts. The scandal has sparked public outrage, prompted the resignation of the public works secretary, and led President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to promise an independent investigation and to withhold flood control funding for the following year. The controversy has implicated high-profile figures, including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Marcos, who has denied the allegations. Congress is conducting televised inquiries, with lawmakers emphasizing the impact of the corruption on ordinary Filipinos suffering from frequent deadly floods caused by poorly implemented projects. The ongoing investigations have drawn widespread calls for accountability from church leaders, retired officials, and civil society groups concerned about the consequences amid the country's vulnerability to typhoons and climate crises.