In a sweeping and decisive address that has sent tremors through the nation’s political and contracting circles, the President delivered a comprehensive report on the progress of the government’s high-stakes investigation into anomalous infrastructure projects, specifically targeting the brazen corruption within the flood control sector. The message was unequivocal: for those who have betrayed the public trust and stolen billions, their “happy days are over,” and justice, meticulously pursued and delivered, is fast approaching.

What began as a probe following the State of the Nation Address (SONA) has mushroomed into a massive, multi-agency operation designed not just to punish the guilty but to recover every stolen cent and permanently reform the systems that enabled such widespread deceit. The President’s tone was firm, approachable, and focused on one central goal: absolute accountability, even if it means a slower, more deliberate path to ensure unassailable legal victories.

A Tidal Wave of Evidence and Frozen Assets
The investigation gained immediate traction, largely powered by the direct engagement of the citizenry. The launch of the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” (Report to the President) website within two weeks of the initial announcement proved invaluable, already yielding more than 20,000 reports from the public. This grassroots information has been the lifeblood of the probe, providing crucial leads that government agencies might otherwise have missed.

The President personally inspected various flood control projects, citing those in Iloilo, Calumpit, and Baliwag as “clear examples of flood control projects that were either unfinished or outright ghost projects,” serving as the foundation for the continuing investigation.

However, the most stunning disclosure was the sheer magnitude of the ill-gotten wealth targeted for recovery. The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has successfully obtained seven freeze orders from the Court of Appeals, collectively securing a staggering Php 6.3 billion in assets. This unprecedented move is a clear signal that the administration is focused on the third pillar of its strategy: ensuring the looted funds are returned to the public coffers for their rightful use. The Solicitor General is now building forfeiture cases to recover this money, turning frozen accounts into restored public assets.

The Names Behind the Network of Greed
The investigation has cast a wide net, ensnaring officials and private contractors alike, particularly citing the Bulacan First District Engineering Office as a major area of concern. The President confirmed that multiple criminal and administrative cases have been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Among the individuals named in the complaints for irregularities in various projects are DPWH officials such as Henry Alcantara, Bryce Hernandez, and JP Mendoza, alongside representatives from contracting firms like St. Timothy Construction, Wawa Builders, and Sims Construction Trading. These names, the President noted, “we have been hearing for a long time,” and they are now finally facing the consequences of their alleged collusion in improper bidding, contracting, implementation, and payment.

The gravity of the charges is evident in the types of cases filed: graft and corruption, malversation, falsification, and plunder, alongside violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act. Furthermore, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has stepped in, filing ten cases against DPWH officials and contractors for a colossal Php 8.86 billion in tax liabilities, stemming from tax evasion and the failure to file accurate information. This parallel legal front highlights the multi-pronged assault on corruption, hitting those involved from every legal angle.

Closing the Door on Impunity: Systemic Reforms
The President emphasized that the crackdown is not merely punitive but is intrinsically tied to fundamental reforms across key agencies to prevent future anomalies.

Institutional Overhaul: The establishment of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was a direct response to the realization that the corruption network extended beyond just flood control. The ICI is now tasked with investigating all questionable infrastructure projects, passing findings directly to the DOJ and Ombudsman.

Contracting and Procurement: The DPWH has been mandated to implement a formal blacklisting of all contractors involved in ghost or substandard projects. A major reform was also enforced in coordination with the DTI and Philippine Constructors Accreditation Board (PCAB): owners of construction companies are now strictly prohibited from sitting on the PCAB board. This long-overdue measure directly addresses the glaring conflict of interest that allowed contractors to accredit and regulate their own competitors.

Cost Control: A special issuance of the Construction Materials Price Data has been implemented to curb overpricing, aiming for up to a 50% reduction in potential overpricing by enforcing strict adherence to current market prices for materials.

Technology and Transparency: The administration is building a comprehensive Transparency Portal to give the public real-time access to project details, including the contractor, location, status, and associated public officials. Critically, new smart technology, including AI, is being deployed. One AI system will monitor the contract process for red flags and irregularities, while another will use smart technology for on-site inspection to verify specifications, ensuring, for example, that the right amount of rebar or concrete thickness is actually used.

No Rush to Judgment, Just a Vow of Conviction
When pressed on the timeline for arrests, the President’s response was remarkably candid and focused on the law. He stated that the goal is not speed, but certainty. The fear, he admitted, is that “the people we know are truly complicit in this shamelessness might get off because of a legal technicality,” such as flawed evidence or a missing signature.

“We are ensuring that every case filed against the abusers has sufficient evidence and will not end in dismissal,” he affirmed. The commitment is that before Christmas, the cases against many of those named will be complete and ready for trial, leading to the President’s stern forecast: “Wala silang Merry Christmas” (They will have no Merry Christmas).

Regarding the former legislator who is a person of interest, the President clarified the legal grounds for passport cancellation, explaining that the action cannot be taken until a criminal case is formally filed. However, he promised immediate action once the legal requirements are met. The option of becoming a state witness is always available, he added, “except for them who are the most guilty.”

The administration’s three-pronged strategy remains unshakeable: first, prosecute those with iron-clad evidence; second, recover all stolen funds; and third, implement systemic reforms to ensure this corruption never happens again. This is a battle to restore integrity, and the President has made it clear he will not stop until every guilty party is held to account.