From GMA Network

By Alexia Bangayan

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. proclaimed on Thursday, November 13, that his administration seeks to imprison individuals involved in the flood control anomalies before Christmas, promising to pursue criminal and administrative cases against those accused of misusing public funds.

“Wala silang Merry Christmas,” he stated during a press briefing at Malacañang, referring to officials and contractors allegedly responsible for diverting money intended for flood prevention programs.

He added that the Ombudsman and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) are finalizing the cases, with the first batch expected to be filed by the end of November.

Additionally, he noted that no one will be spared, regardless of position or political affiliation, as investigations found that many projects were either incomplete, overpriced, or non-existent, raising concerns about the mismanagement of public funds.

Authorities said local officials and private firms may have planned to divert funds intended for flood prevention programs, while some contractors reportedly submitted falsified documents to justify payments for unfinished projects. 

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been instructed to review all ongoing flood control projects and fully cooperate with the investigation to ensure transparency and proper use of funds.

Citizens were also urged to report any corruption cases to support investigators and strengthen the government’s efforts to address the scandal.

The flood control anomalies have drawn public outrage, as projects worth roughly P350 billion were found to lack key details, particularly in provinces where severe flooding persists despite the large budgets allocated for them.