No flood control funds in 2026 budget amid scandal - Marcos

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there is no funding for flood control projects next year, citing the congressional investigations on anomalies and the ₱350 billion in the current budget.

“Lahat ng flood control project na dapat ilalagay sa 2026 na budget, hindi na siguro kailangan. So, there will be no budget for 2026 for flood control,” Marcos said in a podcast interview.

[Translation: All flood control projects slated for the 2026 budget will no longer be needed. So, there will be no budget for 2026 for flood control.]

He said most of the current funds remain unused.

“Hindi ibig sabihin titigil natin ‘yung flood control project. Ibig sabihin, titiyakin na ngayon natin na ang paggastos tama, ang pag-implement tama, maayos ang design,” the president said.

[Translation: This does not mean we are stopping flood control projects. It means we will now ensure that spending is correct, implementation is proper, and design is sound.]

Marcos also challenged contractors linked to incomplete or substandard projects to fix their work at their own expense.

“Ayusin nila. Buoin nila up to specification. At their cost ha? Don’t expect the government to pay for it,” he said.

[Translation: They must fix and complete them to specification, at their cost. Don’t expect the government to pay for it.]

Marcos said he has tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management to review and rewrite the 2026 DPWH budget within two weeks. He said the executive will submit a revised spending plan to Congress.

The president made the announcement as senators grilled contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who dropped the names of DPWH officials and 17 members of the House of Representatives for demanding kickbacks in exchange for awarding flood control projects. The couple asked to be placed under witness protection.

Marcos said some legislators are part of the inquiries.

“Alam mo, prerogative ng Kongreso ‘yan… prerogative ng Senado na mag-conduct sila ng imbestigasyon,” he said.

[Translation:That’s the prerogative of Congress… the prerogative of the Senate to conduct their investigations.]

He added that he will form an independent commission to supplement the congressional probe.

The flood control controversy erupted after Marcos himself said he had seen ghost projects. The Senate blue ribbon committee and House oversight panels are continuing their parallel hearings, while Malacañang has pledged “zero tolerance” for corruption in public works.