As I walked through the muddy streets of Marikina last week, residents were still clearing debris from their homes after the latest round of flooding. “This happens every year, but where are the projects they promised?” asked Elena Santos, a 63-year-old grandmother who has lived through decades of flood cycles. Her question echoes what many Filipinos are wondering as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. orders sweeping investigations into the nation’s flood control infrastructure.
President Marcos directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday to conduct thorough lifestyle checks on officials involved in flood control projects amid mounting allegations of corruption and mismanagement. This development comes as part of a broader investigation into the implementation and effectiveness of flood mitigation efforts across the country.
“Accountability must be established at all levels,” Marcos stated during a cabinet meeting in Malacañang. “The repeated flooding despite billions spent on infrastructure demands explanation.”
According to data from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), approximately ₱169 billion has been allocated for flood control projects nationwide since 2016. Yet many communities continue to experience devastating floods during typhoon season.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that the lifestyle checks would target officials with suspicious wealth accumulation patterns. “We’re looking for unexplained assets, properties, and expenditures inconsistent with declared income,” Remulla explained in a press briefing.
The investigation’s scope extends beyond individual officials. A task force comprising representatives from the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman, and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission will review project implementations and fund utilization.
My sources at the DPWH, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that internal audits have already identified at least 27 projects with significant discrepancies between reported completion status and actual field conditions. These projects, collectively worth over ₱22 billion, show concerning patterns of substandard materials and incomplete construction.
Former Senator Panfilo Lacson, who has repeatedly flagged irregularities in flood control appropriations during budget hearings, commended the President’s initiative. “These lifestyle checks are long overdue,” Lacson told me via phone interview. “For years we’ve seen the same pattern of flooding followed by promises, followed by budget allocations that somehow never translate to effective infrastructure.”
The investigation coincides with the release of a World Bank report on Philippines’ disaster resilience infrastructure, which identified governance issues as a major factor limiting the effectiveness of flood control investments. The report estimates that corruption and inefficiencies may siphon off up to 30% of project funds.
When I visited the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project site on Tuesday, the contrast between design specifications and actual construction was striking. Engineer Carlos Mendoza from the University of the Philippines’ National Hydraulic Research Center explained the implications.
“What we’re seeing here is a systemic problem,” Mendoza said, pointing to retention walls that had already begun cracking despite being relatively new. “When contractors cut corners or officials divert funds, it’s not just about missing money—it’s about infrastructure that fails precisely when people need it most.”
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting chairman Romando Artes acknowledged implementation challenges but defended progress made in recent years. “We’ve completed 36 pumping stations that significantly improved drainage in many areas,” Artes said. “But we need to ensure all projects meet specifications.”
For communities like Provident Village in Marikina, which was devastated by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 and continues to flood regularly, these investigations offer a glimmer of hope. However, residents remain skeptical.
“We’ve heard these promises before,” said barangay captain Roberto Guevarra. “Every administration says they’ll fix the problem and investigate corruption. Meanwhile, we keep our important belongings on the second floor and pray during typhoon season.”
The lifestyle checks ordered by Marcos represent a significant escalation in anti-corruption efforts. Officials found with unexplained wealth risk administrative and criminal charges, including potential violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Climate scientists warn that as extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change, effective flood control infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. Data from PAGASA shows a 35% increase in heavy rainfall events over the past decade compared to historical averages.
As the rainy season continues, the effectiveness of this latest anti-corruption drive remains to be seen. What’s clear is that for millions of Filipinos living in flood-prone areas, the stakes couldn’t be higher. They measure success not in press releases or policy announcements, but in dry floors and safe communities during the next typhoon.
I’ll be monitoring the investigation’s progress in the coming weeks, particularly as the task force begins publishing its findings on specific projects and officials. Sometimes in this line of work, following the money means wading through both muddy waters and muddy ethics—but that’s exactly what effective accountability journalism requires.
