Overview
- Prosecutors charged former congressman Elizaldy (Zaldy) Co, public works officials and contractors over a grossly substandard road dike in Oriental Mindoro, citing falsified documents, misuse of funds and graft violations.
- The ombudsman’s office said this is the first case forwarded by the independent commission and promised many more indictments as preliminary investigations proceed.
- Iglesia ni Cristo’s three‑day rally drew hundreds of thousands to Manila, largely peaceful but tightly policed, with organizers urging transparency and denying any intent to topple the government.
- Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman resigned after their departments were linked in allegations; Ralph Recto was named executive secretary and Frederick Go was tapped to lead the finance department, with Rolando Toledo overseeing the budget office.
- Analysts say the scandal has dented investor confidence and coincided with a sharp third‑quarter growth slowdown, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vows arrests by Christmas and protesters press for swift accountability.