Contractor admits 10-25% kickbacks in flood control projects

A contractor admitted to paying kickbacks ranging from 10% to 25% of project funding to Quezon City officials and DPWH employees to avoid project issues.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has frozen assets linked to individuals and contractors involved in flood control project irregularities.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon vowed that more officials will be dismissed and cases will be filed against those involved in flood control anomalies, with three executives already dismissed and 17 suspended.

Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio described the flood control scam as the largest corruption scandal in Philippine history, noting that Congress allocated P450 billion for flood control projects.

The DPWH has revised its 2026 budget proposal, removing P252 billion for locally funded flood control projects and trimming P3 billion from duplicate or completed projects.

Rappler's investigation uncovered that Genesis88, owned by businessman Glenn Escandor, secured P2.9 billion in flood control projects primarily in Davao City.

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Winnie Monsod stated that politicians, who are responsible for finalizing the national budget, should be the primary focus of accountability in the flood control corruption scandal.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte stated that city lawmakers involved in the flood control projects crossed party lines and did not inform the city about available funds, leaving her to face public blame for flooding.

Lawmakers tagged in the controversy have all denied the allegations, with Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva claiming attempts to discredit them, and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez stepping down as House speaker.