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Philippines to Arrest 18 in Major Flood‑Control Corruption Probe, President Says

President Marcos Jr. said police will arrest 18 people tied to a major corruption probe into flood‑control projects after the Sandiganbayan issued warrants. The suspects include former lawmaker Zaldy Co, government engineers and executives of Sunwest Corp., in connection with a 289 million‑peso river dike project. Prosecutors have asked for no bail, and investigators are now examining nearly 9,855 projects worth over 545 billion pesos, with more arrests and charges possible.

11:14 PM, 11/21/2025Politics
Philippines to Arrest 18 in Major Flood‑Control Corruption Probe, President Says

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Philippine police will move to arrest 18 people linked to a large corruption scandal involving flood‑control projects. The warrants were issued by the Sandiganbayan, the country’s special anti‑corruption court, and the arrests represent the opening phase of a broader effort to hold officials and contractors accountable.

The suspects include former lawmaker Zaldy Co — who resigned from the House and reportedly left the country — as well as government engineers and executives of Sunwest Corp. They are accused of irregularities tied to a river dike project in Oriental Mindoro valued at 289 million pesos (about $4.8 million). Prosecutors have asked the court to deny bail because of the scale of the alleged wrongdoing.

In a video message, Marcos thanked citizens for their patience and vowed that "there will be no special treatment, and nobody would be spared," saying the suspects will be presented to court to answer the charges. He described the planned arrests as only the beginning of a larger crackdown on corruption in infrastructure spending.

The scandal has sparked mass protests and prompted several congressional leaders to step down. Investigators are now scrutinizing nearly 9,855 flood‑control projects worth more than 545 billion pesos (roughly $9 billion) that were planned since Marcos took office in mid‑2022. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has warned that as much as 118.5 billion pesos (about $2 billion) may have been lost to corruption since 2023.

Officials say the inquiry reaches across the political spectrum. Several high‑profile figures — including former Senate President Chiz Escudero, Representative Martin Romualdez (the president’s cousin), and Senator Bong Go — have been named in public reports and have denied wrongdoing. Prosecutors signaled that additional arrests or charges could follow as the investigation develops.

The government says it will continue auditing contracts and projects to repair public trust and shore up flood defenses in a nation regularly hit by typhoons and extreme weather.

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Philippines to Arrest 18 in Major Flood‑Control Corruption Probe, President Says - CRBC News