Team DailyPedia
Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson on Monday publicly accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of masterminding what he called “the biggest corruption scheme” in modern Philippine history, alleging that billions of pesos intended for flood control were siphoned off through a well-orchestrated network within the current administration.
Singson claimed that nearly ₱500 billion allocated for flood-control projects under the Marcos administration did not reduce flooding, but in fact “worsened it.” He said more than 9,800 flood-control initiatives were marked completed, yet communities remain vulnerable, farmland is still destroyed, and families are displaced.
“This flood control scandal is the biggest corruption scheme I have witnessed in my entire life,” Singson said. “Having seen eight presidents lead this nation, this is an obvious, well-orchestrated scheme created by this administration to exploit the country’s national budget for personal gain.”
Singson laid much of the blame at the feet of the President, arguing that all major infrastructure spending— including formulation of the National Expenditure Program (NEP), passage of the General Appropriations Act (GAA), and release of funds by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) — must pass through the President’s approval.
“Every major flood project, every rehabilitation program, every large-scale public work — all of it passes through his desk. He reviews every plan and approves every peso,” he said.
Singson also took aim at what he called a “weak leader,” accusing the President of shifting blame onto others to save himself. He sharply asked: “How can anyone say ‘I don’t know’? How can he say ‘You should be ashamed of yourselves’? Perhaps it is you. You should be ashamed of yourself, Mr. President.”
Another area of concern for Singson is how the alleged corruption was concentrated in the President’s home province of Ilocos Norte. He claimed that billions were funnelled into projects awarded to firms linked with Marcos’ allies — for example, a newly elected mayor of Laoag City and contractors connected with the Discayas.
“Almost ₱4 billion has been funneled to this mayor … since the Bongbong administration,” he said. “Why is the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) not investigating Ilocos Norte — the clearest example of how corruption hides under political protection?”
Singson challenged Marcos to order the ICI to begin investigations in Ilocos Norte as a test of its credibility. He further called on citizens — farmers, students, public servants — to demand accountability. He reminded military and police forces of their constitutional duty: “Stand with the people, not with the powerful.”
Singson also dismissed a recent plunder case filed against him as a politically motivated attempt to silence his allegations, calling it a “fake complaint” lodged through a lawyer tied to his political opponents.
Senate and House committees, as well as the ICI, have been investigating anomalies in flood-control spending nationwide. The government has already suspended further funding for some flood-control initiatives pending investigations. According to public records, defence and military officials have rejected calls to withdraw support from the President despite public protests.
