Defensors back Marcos on pre-Christmas flood control scam arrests

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and his brother, 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, expressed their confidence in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s assurance that individuals linked to the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal will be arrested before Christmas.

President Marcos earlier said at least 37 individuals, including several lawmakers, have been referred by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman for corruption charges.

He said he expects many of those named in the investigation to have their cases completed before Christmas and to be jailed by then, adding that they would not be having a “Merry Christmas.”

Gov. Defensor said he believes the President’s commitment but emphasized that the strength of the cases will depend on proper legal procedure.

“Two things — rule of law and due process,” he said in an interview Monday, Nov. 17.

“Let us allow the investigation to continue, let us ventilate the issue, and examine the evidence properly. Charge those who should be charged. If we want that promise to be fulfilled, the process must be done correctly and properly, otherwise the case will be dismissed,” he added.

Rep. Defensor said he is certain the controversy will lead to accountability.

“I believe someone will be jailed for this flood control issue and the corruption behind it. This is not just graft — this is plunder. The investigation must continue and those involved must be held responsible,” he said.

The flood control controversy gained national traction after Marcos ordered an investigation during his fourth State of the Nation Address last July 28.

Senate hearings that followed uncovered a network of contractors and officials allegedly involved in kickbacks and rigged flood control contracts.

On Sept. 11, Marcos created the ICI to investigate anomalous infrastructure projects in the last decade.

Multiple agencies have since initiated investigations targeting overpricing, ghost projects, and collusion in flood control works across various regions.

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation cases against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, the first case from the flood control scandal to reach the Sandiganbayan.

The court will raffle the case on Nov. 19, after which a division may issue arrest warrants.

Co has emerged as a central figure in the controversy, as Sunwest Construction, which he founded, secured billions in flood control projects while he served as House appropriations chair.

He recently released two videos accusing Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez of inserting PHP 100 billion in projects into the 2025 budget and alleged that the President received kickbacks, which Malacañang has denied.

The government has urged Co to return to the Philippines and present his accusations under oath.