Marcos Slams Duterte's Graft Inaction, Rejects Ouster Calls
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has forcefully rejected calls for his removal from office, dismissing them as "nonsense" while publicly castigating his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, for what he termed a glaring failure to act on pervasive graft within state-funded flood control projects during his tenure. Speaking to reporters in Vancouver after an official visit to Canada, Marcos asserted that it was under his leadership that these multibillion-peso irregularities were first exposed and are now actively being addressed, tracing the origins of systemic corruption back beyond his own administration.
This direct challenge to a former president marks an unprecedented escalation in the simmering tensions within the nation's political elite, spotlighting the enduring battle against corruption in a country where such campaigns often become entangled in political rivalries. The accusations not only question the previous administration's commitment to accountability but also place a high burden on Marcos to deliver tangible results in dismantling deeply entrenched systems of graft that have long undermined public trust, hindered critical infrastructure development, and perpetuated socio-economic disparities across the archipelago.
President Marcos pushed back against critics alleging a slow pace in investigations and a partisan approach to accountability, emphasizing that his government initiated probes into a scandal that previous administrations, including Duterte’s, had reportedly failed to confront. "That makes absolutely no sense," Marcos stated, referring to the ouster calls, underscoring his administration’s role in unveiling and pursuing a corruption network that had thrived for years.
He highlighted that despite Rodrigo Duterte’s acknowledgment of "great problems" concerning flood control projects during his term, no substantial action was taken, and no one was held accountable. Marcos articulated, "Having acknowledged it, it did not find accountability in anybody. So, I guess that was left up to me to do. And so we are still doing it. We're still working on it," framing his administration as the one finally tackling a long-standing issue that others had deferred.
The corruption scandal centers on questionable flood control projects, a pervasive issue that President Marcos first brought to national attention in his State of the Nation Address last year. He contended that had he not unveiled the anomalies, the multibillion-peso scheme involving contractors, some lawmakers, and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would have remained unaddressed, continuing to contribute to substandard infrastructure and persistent flooding across the archipelago.
To underscore his administration's commitment to tackling this systemic issue, Marcos pointed to the establishment of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in September 2025 through Executive Order No. 94. Tasked specifically with investigating questionable flood control projects over the preceding decade, the ICI concluded its comprehensive probe in February of this year, delivering a detailed report of its findings.
The commission's work resulted in nine referrals, recommending various criminal and administrative charges against 65 individuals. These individuals reportedly include influential figures such as lawmakers, contractors, and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Commission on Audit, signaling the broad scope and high-level involvement in the alleged corruption.
Furthermore, the investigations spearheaded by the ICI led to significant financial recoveries and deterrent actions. The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), acting on ICI's findings, secured court orders resulting in the freezing of more than 6,700 bank accounts and other assets, estimated to be worth approximately P24.7 billion. Among those reportedly detained in connection with these probes are high-profile personalities, including Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., alongside former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and several other DPWH officials.
President Marcos acknowledged that the fight against corruption is far from over. "I cannot say that we have done enough because we are not done yet. Unfortunately, the more we look, the more we find. And it is going already back beyond my administration, beyond my term," he explained. He characterized the problem as a "deep-seated system of corruption" that necessitates not only structural reforms in government operations and budget allocation but also a fundamental shift in public and official attitudes, lamenting that some officials have grown accustomed to treating commissions from government projects as normal practice, often disguising them with euphemisms like "rebates."
The President directly countered claims of "selective justice," a common criticism leveled against administrations pursuing anti-graft campaigns. He asserted that his government is simply following the evidence wherever it leads. "From the time that we formed the independent commission, I said we'll just follow the evidence, and we'll continue to do that," Marcos affirmed, indicating a commitment to impartiality in the investigations. He also referenced earlier warnings about a "P300-billion flood control mess" by former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando "Nonoy" Andaya Jr. as far back as 2018, further solidifying his narrative that this systemic corruption long predates his presidency.
Marcos' public denouncement of Duterte's alleged inaction highlights the deepening fissures within the nation's political elite, moving beyond veiled criticisms to direct accusations. This direct challenge underscores the increasingly fractured relationship between the current and former presidents, a dynamic that inevitably shapes the political landscape and public discourse surrounding governance and accountability. The current administration’s anti-graft campaign, while framed as a necessary crackdown on systemic corruption, unfolds against a backdrop of complex political alignments and historical rivalries, prompting scrutiny over its motivations and eventual outcomes.
The Philippines has a long history of anti-corruption drives that often face public skepticism, sometimes perceived as politically motivated rather than purely for justice. The substantial allegations and the high-profile individuals implicated in the flood control scandal represent a significant test for Marcos Jr.'s administration to prove its commitment to genuine reform and accountability, transcending the specter of partisan maneuvering.
As the current administration continues its investigations and prosecutions, the public watches closely, eager to see whether this renewed focus on accountability will truly dismantle the "deep-seated system of corruption" that has plagued the Philippines for decades, or if it will be perceived, as some critics contend, as yet another chapter in the country's complex political rivalries. The President's resolve to press forward, despite what he calls "nonsense" ouster calls, suggests a determined, albeit challenging, path ahead for his anti-graft agenda, with the true measure of its success yet to be written.