CORRUPTION IN FLOOD CONTROL: FOLLOW THE MONEY, FOLLOW THE BLOOD

We need to talk about corruption—not in whispers, not in vague headlines, but in raw, unflinching detail.

This is not just another “issue of the day.”

This is the one scandal that unites outrage across political colors, from the Duterte base to the silent majority who usually scroll past political debates. This isn’t politics as usual—it’s the betrayal of a nation’s trust and safety.

For decades, Filipinos have paid their taxes faithfully, trusting that the kaban ng bayan would be used to safeguard lives, especially in a country that faces an average of 20 typhoons a year and devastating floods. And yet, billions allocated for flood control vanished into thin air, while communities drown. The Commission on Audit (COA) has repeatedly flagged ghost projects, overpricing, and missing funds in infrastructure. Still, this system thrived because too many in power chose silence over courage.

And here’s the bitter truth. Every collapsed dike, every flooded barangay, every life lost is a receipt.

A receipt for a corrupt system that lined pockets instead of reinforcing levees. A receipt for every lawmaker or DPWH official who signed off on projects that existed only on paper.

The outrage now swelling across social media isn’t just about bad governance—it’s about betrayal.

This is why this issue cannot be drowned in political drama.

The flood control scandal is not about partisan rivalry; it’s about survival. It’s about two sacred expectations that even the most politically divided Filipino holds:

1. That their hard-earned taxes will not be stolen by crooks in barongs.

2. That when calamity strikes, government will be their refuge, not their killer.

This is a rare convergence of outrage. It cuts across political lines, and the people are watching closely. And yet, some leaders remain quiet, hoping this storm will pass.

Duterte-aligned politicians, in particular, stand at a crossroads. If they refuse to take a strong stand and push for accountability, they risk alienating their own base—one that stood by them because they believed in a promise to crush corruption and restore order. Silence now is not just cowardice, it’s complicity.

The Marcos administration cannot wash its hands either. The records are clear: Over P1 trillion was allocated for flood control in just three years (2023–2025), amounting to more than half of all flood control allocations from 2011 to 2025 combined. This isn’t a minor misstep—it’s systemic plunder on an industrial scale.

Dare to ask:

• Who signed off on these projects?

• Who profited while families drowned?

• Who pocketed billions while Filipinos were chest-deep in floodwater?

This isn’t just corruption.

THIS IS BLOOD MONEY.

If this probe does not end with real convictions, if the politicians behind this heist walk away unscathed, expect the people to take to the streets. The Filipino’s patience is wearing dangerously thin, and this time it won’t just be a hashtag.

This scandal is the perfect storm: the misuse of taxpayer money and the betrayal of public safety.

History has shown that when you rob people of hope and security, they will rise.

No political bloc,

no propaganda machine,

and no media spin will be able to stop the anger that is brewing.

This is not a partisan battle. This is a war for truth, justice, and survival.

And for every leader in power, the choice is clear:

Stand with the people or stand with the crooks. History is watching.

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OPINION | BY ROB RANCES

Disclaimer: This commentary is an opinion piece based on publicly available reports, Commission on Audit (COA) findings, and media coverage. It reflects an analysis of systemic corruption concerns surrounding flood control projects and is not intended to accuse any specific individual of a crime without due process. All persons mentioned or alluded to are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The intent of this article is to spark public dialogue, demand transparency, and encourage accountability in government spending and disaster preparedness.