Statement of Malacañang on Flood Control Issue Following Zaldy Co’s Arrest
Malacañang asserted that the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the guilty ones in the flood control mess must be held accountable remains.
Several government officials were tagged in the controversial flood control scam that allegedly pocketed billions of money from the people. Many of them are members of the House of Representatives and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The DPWH has become the center of criticisms after the flood control issue broke out. Some senators and former senators were also tagged in the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption.
The issue has gathered thousands of Filipinos in the streets for the “Trillion Peso March“. Two (2) big protests were held in 2025 amid the flood control investigations as the Filipinos called for accountability.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI amid the flood control mess. Amid the call for accountability, Malacañang previously stressed that the filing of the flood control charges will be based on evidence and due process.
“Ang minadaliang pagsasampa ng kaso ng walang basehan o may pagpaplanta ng ebidensya ay hindi gawain ng administrasyon na ito,” Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro said.
Following its investigation that lasted for more than 125 days and invited several officials of the government who were tagged in the flood control mess, the ICI which wind down its operations in March cited the following “achievements”:
- Nine referrals, covering 65 implicated individuals, submitted to the Ombudsman, one of which was made with the Department of Public Works and Highways
- 66 individuals referred to the Department of Justice for the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBOs)
- 32 hearings covering 36 witnesses, including 20 legislators and five agency heads
- 16 site inspections nationwide
- 1,173 documents processed
- 6,692 bank accounts of implicated individuals frozen or subjected to freeze orders
- P24.7 billion worth of assets seized, preserved, frozen or surrendered, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council. This includes 229 vehicles, 394 insurance policies, 161 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts and 10 air assets
- Eight inter-agency coordination meetings conducted and six legislative sessions attended
- Three hearings livestreamed
Recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos announced the arrest of Zaldy Co in Prague. The former Congressman is one of the alleged biggest role players in the flood control corruption. Following this development, based on News5, Malacañang recently asserted that the order of Marcos Jr. over the flood control issue remains.
“Nais lang po nating ipaalala sa mga nagsasabing kinalimutan na ang flood control… hindi po ‘yan totoo… Ang utos ng Pangulo ay nananatili — managot ang dapat managot,” Palace press officer Usec. Claire Castro said based on the post.
Department of Interior and Local Government or DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla also spoke on the arrest of Zaldy Co. The President previously claimed that the Philippine authorities are already coordinating with the Czech officials to bring Co home.
