Contractors and lawmakers pocket ₱545 billion from flood-control projects – PCIJ

Adi Joaquim Tolentino

Nearly ₱545 billion was spent on 9,855 flood-control projects from July 2022 to May 2025, but a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) investigation showed that politically connected contractors and lawmakers pocketed the funds.

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confronted the issue, saying, “Mahiya naman kayo,” as he criticized kickbacks and projects that failed to control floods.

The review revealed how families with ties to politics amassed billions from the flood-control budget.

In Pasig, Pacifico “Curlee” II and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, through firms they and their son founded, secured ₱25.2 billion in projects, later linked by Mayor Vico Sotto to even more companies totaling ₱31 billion.

The Discayas’ flaunting of over 40 luxury cars has symbolized the disconnect between public funds and public service.

In Bicol, the Co family bagged ₱15.7 billion in contracts, mostly through Sunwest and Hi-Tone Construction, while Rep. Elizaldy Co chaired the House appropriations committee.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson warned that as much as 60 percent of infrastructure budgets are lost to “commissions.”

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said lawmakers can pocket up to 40 percent of project costs.

By PCIJ’s tally, at least 18 sitting lawmakers are tied to public works contractors.

Flood-prone Mindanao received far less support in which Tawi-Tawi got nothing, while Metro Manila and Bulacan absorbed 15 percent of the entire budget.