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Marcos Vows Jailing by Christmas in Philippines Flood-Control Graft Crackdown

The pledge follows filings against dozens of suspects, with asset freezes mounting in a probe of ghost flood projects.

Police officers stand in formation during an anti-corruption protest of students near Malacanang Palace, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 17, 2025. REUTERS/Noel Celis
FILE - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos speaks during the 89th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Dec. 20, 2024, in Quezon City, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr speaks during a press conference in Manila on November 13, 2025

Overview

  • President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said criminal cases against most suspects are nearly complete and publicly displayed names of officials and construction executives during a televised briefing.
  • An independent commission has filed graft and plunder complaints against at least 37 senators, lawmakers and business figures, alongside tax evasion cases against 86 construction executives and nine officials totaling nearly 9 billion pesos.
  • Authorities reported 6.3 billion pesos in frozen assets, including 1,671 bank accounts, 144 properties and 244 vehicles, with plans to seek forfeiture as customs seized luxury cars and a new jail for detainees opened in Quezon City.
  • Back-to-back storms intensified scrutiny of failed flood works, with Typhoon Kalmaegi causing at least 232 deaths and 125 missing and Super Typhoon Fung-wong killing at least 27 people.
  • Officials linked the scandal to economic damage, citing up to 118.5 billion pesos in losses since 2023 as infrastructure outlays fell 26.2% in the third quarter and the president pledged faster year-end public spending.