Photo credit: Ping Lacson

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson has laid out what he described as extensive evidence of a “systematic and parasitic” corruption scheme behind anomalous flood control projects, which he said could be among the biggest corruption scandals in Philippine history.

Lacson made the presentation after seven hearings conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which he chairs, where lawmakers examined alleged irregularities in infrastructure spending, procurement, and implementation of flood mitigation projects across the country.

He said the committee’s findings are not meant to deliver a final verdict, but to provide a clear evidentiary roadmap that can help investigators, prosecutors, and courts determine liability and pursue appropriate legal action.

Lacson stressed that the report serves both as a referral for possible cases and a set of proposed reforms aimed at fixing long-standing weaknesses in government budgeting and accountability systems.

According to the senator, the investigation shows that the problem is not a shortage of funds for flood control projects, but the misuse of large budgets under weak oversight and alleged coordinated corruption involving multiple actors inside and outside government.

The committee also described what Lacson called an evolved version of the pork barrel system, where public funds are allegedly inserted into the budget through terms such as “allocables,” “leadership funds,” and other discretionary allocations.

A key focus of the investigation was the alleged irregularities in the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office under the Department of Public Works and Highways, which investigators said illustrated how flood control funds may have been diverted through ghost or substandard projects.

Lacson warned that the impact of the alleged scheme goes beyond financial losses, pointing to weakened institutions and continued vulnerability of flood-prone communities.

He noted that millions of Filipinos in more than 30 high-risk provinces continue to face severe flooding every year, with the Philippines consistently ranking among the world’s most disaster-prone countries.

The investigation has already triggered broader government action, including the placement of key witnesses under the Witness Protection Program. These include former DPWH officials and contractors who testified during the Senate hearings.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed multiple cases before the Sandiganbayan against several public officials and private individuals linked to the alleged anomalies.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Anti-Money Laundering Council have conducted parallel probes, with authorities freezing more than P21.8 billion in assets as of April 30, 2026.

The committee also recommended major reforms, including the removal of “allocables” and “leadership funds” from the national budget, which Lacson said function like a modern form of pork barrel.

Other proposals include strengthening whistleblower protection, digitizing Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, tightening conflict-of-interest rules, and increasing penalties for graft and corruption.

The Blue Ribbon Committee is also set to continue its hearings, with further scrutiny expected on budget insertions, leadership funds, and the paper trail of flood control allocations.

Lacson said the panel may also summon key personalities in future hearings, including former lawmaker Elizaldy Co and former Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to shed light on the allegations.

He said the Senate inquiry will continue pushing for accountability and reforms to prevent further misuse of public funds in critical infrastructure projects, especially those meant to protect Filipinos from flooding.