"Tonterías", dice Marcos en las llamadas de expulsión sobre la lenta sonda de control de inundaciones

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has faced mounting pressure from critics who accuse him of failing to adequately address allegations of corruption surrounding flood control projects, despite his initial efforts to expose wrongdoing. During a press conference in Vancouver, Canada, on July 4, 2026, Marcos dismissed these criticisms as "nonsense," arguing that his administration is still actively pursuing accountability for those involved in the scandal. He emphasized that he is the only president who has taken significant steps to investigate irregularities in state-funded flood control initiatives, which he claims were previously ignored by previous administrations.

Marcos pointed out that the issues with flood control projects date back long before his presidency began in 2022. He stated that former President Rodrigo Duterte was aware of the "great problems" associated with these projects but took no action to address them. According to Marcos, it was only under his leadership that meaningful investigations were launched, leading to the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in September 2025. This commission was tasked with examining questionable aspects of flood control projects and has since made several notable contributions, including filing nine referrals to the Office of the Ombudsman, coordinating the referral of 66 individuals to the Department of Justice, and contributing to the freezing of 6,692 bank accounts valued at approximately P24.7 billion.

Despite these actions, Marcos admitted that the investigation is far from complete. He acknowledged that the government is "not done yet" in holding accountable all those involved in the flood control scandal. He expressed frustration over the complexity of the issue, describing it as a "deep-seated system of corruption" that requires not only structural reforms within the government and budget processes but also a shift in attitudes among those involved. Marcos stressed that the challenge lies in changing the mindset of individuals who believe that their actions are justified or that corruption is simply a normal part of governance.

The fallout from the flood control scandal has been extensive. Several high-profile figures have resigned or been forced to flee the country. Notably, Marcos’ cousin, Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, stepped down as House speaker amid allegations of involvement in the scandal. Additionally, former appropriations committee chair Zaldy Co, who is also a contractor, fled the country nearly a year prior and remains a fugitive following court orders for his arrest. A handful of former and current senators have also been incarcerated over cases tied to the flood control projects.

While Marcos has vowed to hold corrupt actors accountable, his promises have not always materialized. In December 2025, he announced plans to jail corrupt officials before Christmas, but this pledge remained unfulfilled. When asked directly about critics calling for his resignation over perceived shortcomings in his anti-corruption campaign, Marcos deflected, stating that he is the only president who has taken initiative in exposing such practices. He argued that it is illogical for past leaders to claim responsibility for addressing the issue when they themselves did not take action.

As the investigation continues, the political landscape remains tense. Critics argue that Marcos’ efforts, while commendable, have not been sufficient to fully resolve the ongoing crisis. Meanwhile, Marcos maintains that his administration is committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice, even if it means confronting powerful individuals and systems that have long operated with impunity. The outcome of these developments will likely shape the future of Philippine governance and public trust in the executive branch.