In a powerful and emotional speech during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed a troubling reality that has stunned both lawmakers and ordinary citizens: many flood control projects across the Philippines are either substandard or, worse, completely fictitious.

The President did not mince words. He declared that these flood control projects were nothing more than “figments of imagination,” exposing the deep rot of collusion, corruption, and misuse of public funds. He cited personal inspections in storm-hit areas affected by monsoon rains and cyclones like Crising, Dante, and Emong, where supposed flood mitigation structures had either collapsed or were never built in the first place. His voice rising with intensity, Marcos called out corrupt officials and contractors directly, telling them, “Mahiya naman kayo” — be ashamed.

This dramatic call for shame was not just symbolic. President Marcos announced that he has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a comprehensive list of all flood control projects implemented or started in every region over the past three years. That list will be handed to regional project monitoring committees, which will be tasked with investigating which projects were failures, which remain unfinished, and which were completely fabricated. The goal: complete transparency.

Even more notably, this list will be made public — a bold move to invite citizens into the process of oversight. Marcos stressed that the Filipino people will be allowed to examine these projects themselves and report what they know. It’s a rare moment in Philippine politics where the public has been actively invited into the fight against corruption.

The President vowed that once wrongdoing is proven through these investigations, both the corrupt officials and the contractors involved will face charges. “The people need to know the entire truth,” Marcos said. “Someone should be held to account for the damage and the corruption.”

Behind the headlines, the implications of this announcement are enormous. Flood control projects in the Philippines are vital, especially given the country’s exposure to extreme weather events. With four cyclones hitting the country just in the month of July alone — and twelve more expected by year’s end — the need for resilient infrastructure has never been more urgent.

But it’s not just about physical structures. This is a crisis of governance, trust, and responsibility. For too long, public infrastructure has been seen as a honey pot for corruption. Marcos’ declaration marks a shift — a demand for performance, not just procurement.

The President also addressed the broader context of disaster preparedness in a country facing what he called “a new normal” due to climate change. He pushed for stronger, smarter responses, including building more modern evacuation centers to eliminate the long-standing practice of using schools as temporary shelters. Preparation, he said, must become automatic, not just a response after disaster strikes.

In response to the SONA, key lawmakers expressed strong support for the crackdown on corruption. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva called the President’s stance “a clear push for accountability” and praised the commitment to transparency. Senator JV Ejercito emphasized that corruption in flood control is not a rumor, but a reality. He described how budgets are often scattered across districts, resulting in poorly planned, redundant, and sometimes entirely useless drainage systems.

Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada echoed the demand for consequences. He welcomed the President’s plan for a full audit but warned that an audit without accountability would be meaningless. If incompetence is found, he said, people should be removed. If corruption is found, people should be jailed.

Even business groups joined the chorus of support. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry appreciated the President’s awareness of service delivery gaps and encouraged stronger governance. The Federation of Philippine Industries emphasized that transparency and accountability in infrastructure are vital not only for public trust but also for sustainable economic development. Meanwhile, the Philippine Exporters Confederation noted that strict scrutiny of the national budget is essential, especially given the ongoing challenges faced by small and medium enterprises.

Yet, while the President earned praise for addressing infrastructure corruption, some observers noted what was missing from the speech. Senator Villanueva and business leaders expressed disappointment that Marcos did not mention issues like online gambling or the effects of US tariffs on exports. These omissions suggest that while the government is focused on domestic structural reforms, some external economic threats remain unaddressed — at least for now.

Still, what stood out in this year’s SONA was not what was left out, but what was laid bare. For decades, ghost projects have haunted Philippine infrastructure. For the first time, a President has publicly acknowledged them — and vowed to chase them down. Marcos’ rhetoric was not just about roads and drainage. It was about stolen futures. “Be ashamed,” he told the corrupt. “Be ashamed for the children who will inherit debt because you pocketed the money.”

This statement, which earned a standing ovation, captures the moral heart of the issue. The flood control scandal is not just a bureaucratic failure — it is a betrayal of the people. Whether this moment leads to real change depends on what comes next. Investigations must lead to prosecutions. Audits must lead to firings. And transparency must not end with the publication of a list — it must begin there.

As typhoons continue to threaten the country, and as public outrage simmers, the pressure is on for the Marcos administration to deliver more than speeches. The people will be watching. The floodwaters may rise, but so too must accountability.