Engineers expose corruption in Philippine flood control projects

In the Philippines, former government engineers Brice Ericson Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza testified during a Senate inquiry, claiming that most infrastructure projects, particularly flood control, overseen in Bulacan province in recent years were constructed below standard and at inflated costs. They alleged that between 2019 and 2025, these projects did not adhere to approved specifications, using cheap and inferior materials to facilitate substantial kickbacks for legislators and public officials involved in the corrupt practices. Mourning more than 3.7 million people living in one of the country's most flood-prone areas, the inquiry sheds light on growing public discontent as citizens organize protests against entrenched political corruption. The alleged kickbacks, estimated to be around 20% or higher of the total project costs, have sparked significant public outrage. As a consequence, protests erupted, leading to unrest in the capital as demonstrators clashed with police forces. Over 200 people were arrested amidst widespread calls for accountability, resulting in injuries for over 100 law enforcement officers. Amid rising tension, Manuel Bonoan, the former Secretary of Public Works, stated he was unaware of any irregularities, maintaining that this inquiry presented the first time he has heard allegations of corruption. Following the testimony of Hernandez and Mendoza, they faced severe consequences including dismissal from their roles in the Public Works Department in Bulacan. Furthermore, they are now facing criminal charges and are seeking protection in exchange for revealing further corruption linked to powerful politicians, including Zaldy Co, a congressman who has been accused of receiving kickbacks. Co, in response to these allegations, labeled them as "false and baseless," stating his intent to defend himself through appropriate legal channels. The widespread nature of these claims indicates a systemic issue within the government, with several legislators, including two senators, being implicated yet denying engagement in any wrongdoing. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier highlighted the alleged corruption involving flood-control projects, worth over 545 billion pesos ($9.5 billion), during his state of the nation address in July 2022. Following this, an independent commission was established to investigate the anomalies affecting around 9,855 flood control projects expected to mitigate flooding in the region. Marcos remarked on the severity of the situation, describing the potential scale of corruption as "horrible," emphasizing that all responsible parties must be prosecuted, including his political alliances which are implicated in the scandal. This inquiry continues to evolve, raising questions about accountability and the future of infrastructure integrity in flood-prone areas of the Philippines.