08 September 2025 , 14:45
695
0
On Monday, a wealthy business couple identified several Philippine congressmen and public works officials, alleging that they forced them to pay large kickbacks in order to secure lucrative flood-control projects from the government, according to explosive testimony during a nationally televised Senate investigation.
Construction company owners Pacifico and Sarah Discaya testified under oath in a Senate Blue Ribbon committee inquiry that at least 17 members of the House of Representatives demanded kickbacks from them, amounting to about 25% of the total cost of each approved flood-control project, to assist them in winning government contracts.
The couple did not provide specifics—including the amount of the alleged bribes or the government projects involved—and offered no evidence, but stated they kept records of the dates and places where the bribes were paid.
The corruption scandal, which is being investigated by both chambers of Congress as well as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ’s administration, has sparked outrage, primarily online, and led to the recent resignation of the public works secretary. Over the weekend, Roman Catholic bishops called for extensive criminal prosecutions, the return of stolen wealth, and urged young Filipinos to use social media to “expose injustice.”
In their testimony, the Discayas identified legislators who allegedly received large cash payouts through representatives and stated they were willing to testify against them, but expressed concern for their safety.
“We fear for our safety because we don’t have protection yet,” Pacifico Discaya said at one point when pressed to provide more details before agreeing to speak in a future closed-door hearing.
The Discayas gained earlier public attention after granting media interviews during which they showcased their collection of dozens of European and American luxury cars and SUVs.
The Philippines has spent an estimated 545 billion Philippine pesos ($9.6 billion) on thousands of flood mitigation projects over the last three years, according to the government.
Most of the 14 other construction companies invited to testify at Monday’s Senate inquiry stated through representatives that they did not pay bribes to legislators or the Department of Public Works and Highways to secure government contracts.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, whom the Discayas claimed allegedly benefitted from large-scale bribes supposedly received by his representatives, strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “lies and malicious name-dropping meant to tarnish his integrity and undermine Congress.”
“If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent,” Romualdez said in a statement. “I will not allow falsehoods to tarnish my integrity or the institution I lead.”
After inspecting provincial flood control projects in recent weeks and discovering substandard quality and other irregularities, including a reportedly complete project that turned out to be non-existent, Marcos stated last week that he would establish an independent commission to investigate the corruption plaguing such projects and file criminal charges against those responsible.
He described the scale and impunity of the corruption as “horrible.” A website he launched to encourage the public to report irregularities has been overwhelmed by thousands of complaints.
He became emotional in a recent interview while discussing how the corruption has affected Filipinos, who struggle to earn a decent living but are most vulnerable to floods.
The Philippines is hit by about 20 typhoons and storms each year. In July, consecutive typhoons and seasonal monsoon downpours triggered massive floods that affected millions, displaced over 300,000, and resulted in extensive infrastructure and agricultural losses.
At least 26 people died in the weather onslaught, mostly poor villagers, including in floodwaters.
World Affairs Correspondent