Halfway through the year 2025, the Filipino people braced for a familiar enemy: the tropical storms that batter the archipelago each year.
Cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong, alongside the relentless southwest monsoon, ripped through provinces, tore apart homes, and left entire communities submerged.
During his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. touted more than 5,500 completed flood control projects across the country.
This was his precursor to the ambitious pledge that at least ten large-scale flood-control projects amounting to more than PHP500 billion would be rolled out over the next 13 years.
The declaration was meant to reassure a weary nation. Instead, it triggered a cascade of questions.
Where exactly were these projects? Why had so many communities remained defenseless? Who profited while the waters rose?
The President himself spared pleasantries about the decay in integrity festering within the system.
He said of the matter: “Kitang-kita ko na maraming proyekto para sa flood control ay palpak at gumuho. At yung iba, guni-guni lang.
“Wag na po tayo mag-kunwari. Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkaka-raket sa mga proyekto — mga kickback, mga initiative, errata, SOP [Standard Operating Procedures], ‘for the boys.'
“Kaya sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan, at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino.
“Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha.”
Thus began what's now known as the Philippine Flood Control Scandal, where investigations and public outrage sparked the cleansing that would inevitably follow.
Read: Curlee Discaya claims politicians, 120M Filipinos want them dead
Flood Control Scandal Timeline
July 28
In his SONA, President Marcos orders an investigation into possible corruption in flood control projects, directing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a list of projects that were “started or completed in the last three years.”
The chief executive continues: “At the same time, there will be an audit and performance review regarding these projects to check and make sure, and to know how your money was spent.
“Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang mga lalabas na may sala sa imbestigasyon pati na ang mga kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa.”
August 3
The Presidential Communications Office releases BBM Podcast Episode 3, wherein President Marcos fleshed out some issues that were not extensively covered in his SONA.
“Yung dinadaanan na hirap na dinadanas ng ating mga kababayan, they have to be told who is responsible, and somebody has to answer for their suffering,” he says.
He then vows to sever ties with colleagues who will be found guilty in the course of the impending investigation.
“Sorry na lang. Hindi na kita kaalyado kung ganyan ang ginagawa mo, ayaw na kitang kaalyado.”
August 4
Sen. Panfilo Lacson discloses that 67 lawmakers in 2022 acted as both legislators and contractors for their own projects.
“Noong 2022, pagsimula ng new Congress noon, natanong ko ang isang kaibigan kong congressman kasi curious ako, bagong bukas ang Kongreso,” Lacson recounted to DZRH.
“'Ilan ba,' kako, 'sa bilang mo, ilan ang contractor diyan sa Batasan?' Sabi niya, 'Huling bilang ko sa ngayon, 67. Pero alam ko meron pang iba.'
“So, noon 67 na, as of three years ago. Siguro ngayon, ang iba nae-engganyo, 'Mag-contractor na lang tayo.'
“O kaya kamag-anak ang mag-handle ng kumpanya ng kanyang construction company para makamenos sila.”
He brought up the disclosure in line with his renewed demand to scrutinize multi-billion peso flood control allocations, particularly the insertions made in the 2025 budget bicameral conference.
These bicameral deliberations—where the House of Representatives and the Senate are meant to reconcile differences in their budget versions—have been scrutinized in the past for its susceptibility to last-minute insertions and pet projects quietly finding their way into the final law.
August 6
The Palace responds to Sen. Lacson's claim through Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro: “Kung meron silang naiisip na maaaring magkaroon ng anomalya o nagkakaroon ng anomalya, welcome po lahat yan.
“Kung ito po ay maibubunyag ni Sen. Lacson at siya ay may mga pruweba po, welcome po yan sa Pangulo at sa administrasyon.”
August 11
President Marcos identifies 15 contractors who collectively secured PHP100 billion worth of flood control projects since 2022, many of them in areas not classified as high-risk for flooding.
August 12
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero admits to accepting a PHP30 million donation from Sorsogon-based contractor Lawrence R. Lubiano in 2022, but denies helping his firm obtain flood-control contracts.
Escudero clarifies, “Kung may ginawa siyang [Lubiano] iligal, ulitin ko, ha, kung may ginawang iligal sinuman, dapat managot sila.
“Pero wala akong kinalaman kaugnay sa program of work, pag-bid, pag-award.”
On the same day, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva insists no senator has been tied to the 15 questionable contractors.
August 13
DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan announces on ANC that an audit of around 9,855 flood control projects since the President's fourth SONA has begun.
Their focus remains on the 15 major contractors cited by the President, examining which projects were undertaken, and what the current status of each one is.
When pressed on whether it was appropriate for certain officials to have links with the firms involved, Bonoan said such affiliations were not part of the qualifications his office reviewed.
He explained that the DPWH’s focus was limited to the documents submitted by bidders and their accreditation with relevant agencies.
"That is the only basis for us to look into whenever there is a bidding that is conducted all over the country."
August 15
President Marcos inspects two substandard anti-flood structures in Calumpit, Bulacan, after receiving a letter of complaint from a resident who flagged the haphazard construction.
A supposed flood mitigation structure with a desiltation system in Brgy. Frances was signed off as "complete" despite missing contract requirements.
“Tingnan mo naman paano magiging completed yan? May isla sa gitna, tinutubuan na ng damo, masukal na yan. Ibig sabihin, matagal na silang hindi nagdi-dredge,” the President comments.
PHP77,100,000 was allocated for the said project.
The contractors involved are St. Timothy Construction Corporation, owned by the Discayas, and Wawao Builders, under the supervision of General Manager Mark Allan Arevalo.
August 16
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor reports that a dike in Naujan collapsed during massive flooding.
The dike was allegedly built with sand, thin concrete, and undersized steel bars.
August 17
ABS-CBN obtains records showing MG Samidan Construction and Development Corp.—ranked 13th among top flood-control contractors—had only PHP250,000 in paid-up capital in 2019.
August 19
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s Blue Ribbon Committee opens its inquiry; eight of 15 invited contractors skip the hearing.
Secretary Bonoan concedes that “ghost projects” exist, citing recent findings.
A PHP77 million mitigation structure in Hagonoy, Bulacan, supposedly completed in 2023, is flagged as non-existent.
Gov. Dolor names nine collapsed projects in Oriental Mindoro.
August 20
President Marcos discovers a PHP55-million river wall in Baliuag, Bulacan, paid for but never constructed.
He reacts: “Walang ginawa kahit isang araw hindi nagtrabaho. Kahit puntahan niyo, wala kayong makikita na kahit ano.
“Pero ito ang ginagawa nila talagang nakakapinsala pa sa mga local residents. So yes, I'm not disappointed, I'm angry.”
On the same day, Sen. Panfilo Lacson delivers a privilege speech titled "Flooded Gates of Corruption"—outlining how contractors, DPWH insiders, and officials divide public funds.
“Last week, the President took aim; today, I am pulling the trigger,” Lacson states.
Government data also reveals that on this day, a company tied to COA Commissioner Mario Lipana’s wife secured nearly PHP200 million worth of projects.
August 21
Gov. Dolor says a Naujan flood project, funded three separate times in 2024, was never built. More DPWH Mimaropa flood works are reported to have collapsed.
August 22
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto warns media against giving the Discaya couple a platform, amid reports they’re willing to pay millions for a lifestyle feature.
He writes in a Facebook post: “Bago tanggapin ng mga kilalang journalists ang alok para mag-interview ng Contractor na Pumapasok sa Politika, hindi ba nila naisip na, 'Uy teka, ba’t kaya handa ’to magbigay ng 10 million* para lang magpa-interview sa akin??'
“I know for a fact that there are many good, honest people in media who are disappointed, if not angered, at practices like this which undermine the integrity of their profession.
“In this case, maybe they didn’t do anything technically 'illegal,' but at the very least it should be considered shameful and violative of the spirit of their code of ethics.
“Puwede silang magtago sa grey areas: 'hindi naman journalism ito… more of lifestyle lang… kailangan kasi ng sponsor…' pero ’wag na tayong maglokohan.
“They rose to national prominence as broadcast journalists/news personalities; puhunan [dapat] nila ang kanilang reputasyon at kredibilidad... at sa ganitong kalakaran, ito rin ang reputasyon at kredibilidad na pinahihiram nila sa mga corrupt kapalit ng [money emoji].”
August 24
A DPWH district engineer is arrested for attempting to bribe Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste.
Online anger escalates into grassroots “lifestyle checks” on contractors and their heirs.
August 27
President Marcos orders lifestyle checks on all government officials.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro states: “Magdedemanda po talaga, sasampahan ng kaso ang dapat masampahan ng kaso.
“Walang sisinuhin, walang malapit sa puso, walang kaalyado—kung sinuman ang involved dito, sasampahan ng kaso.”
On the same day, Sen. Lacson exposes a scheme within the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) that enables unfit contractors to buy their way into accreditation and win public contracts.
August 28
Mayor Vico Sotto urges the public to shun displays of luxury by those tied to state-funded projects.
He tells ABS-CBN News: “Kailangan nga pansinin natin yung mga ganoong kwento, mga ganoong pagkakataon.
“Gawin natin siyang hindi normal at gawin natin siyang hindi nakaka-inspire.
“As public officials, we have a code of ethics. Ostentatious display of wealth is also bad regardless of the source…
“Pero siguro yung mga nakita talaga natin na connected sa contractor, sila naman nag-post nun online, di ba? So, bigyan natin sila ng atensyon kung gusto nila.”
August 31
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan steps down.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez says of the resignation: “Secretary Bonoan expressed support for the President's call for accountability, transparency, and reform within the DPWH.”
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assumes the role.
September 1
Sarah Discaya testifies before the Blue Ribbon Committee, admitting ownership of 28 luxury cars and nine construction companies that sometimes bid against one another.
She defends herself against allegations that she earned billions from DPWH flood control projects.
Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III was the first to ask, basing his questions on Julius Babao’s interview with Sarah and her husband, Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya.
The feature interview with the Discaya couple took place in September 2024 and remains available on Julius Babao’s Unplugged YouTube channel.
Sotto presses: “Tinanong kayo kung anong naging gateway para gumanda ang buhay ninyo? Sabi po ninyo ay 'Nung DPWH na kami.'
“Nung tinanong kung magkano, ang sabi ninyo, 'bilyon.' Kailan po yung unang bilyon na kumita kayo sa DPWH?'
Sarah answers: “For the knowledge of everyone, St. Gerrard and Alpha and Omega, we have been in the construction business for 23 years.
"So, I would presume in the twenty-three years, puwede naman po kami sigurong kumita.'
"Yung bilyon, when I said 'DPWH,' because prior to that, we were in local government [projects], so ang hirap makasingil sa local government.
"They spliced the video that was taken of me and just mentioned the DPWH.”
New DPWH chief Vince Dizon orders courtesy resignations from DPWH executives.
Read: All 38 featured vehicles of the Discaya family and their prices
September 2
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto estimates losses of over PHP100 billion to ghost projects from 2023 to 2025.
“Dahil po sa mga ghost projects, nawalan po ang ating ekonomiya ng PHP42.3B hanggang PHP118.5B mula 2023 hanggang 2025,” Recto explains.
“Katumbas po nito ang 95,000 hanggang 266,000 na trabaho na sana'y napakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan.”
On the same day, the House TriComm—a joint committee (Infrastructure, Good Government, and Appropriations)—begins its parallel investigation, directing lawmakers to reveal ties to contractors.
Centerways Construction’s president, Lawrence Lubiano, eventually confirms donating PHP30 million to Escudero’s campaign.
Secretary Dizon abolishes the DPWH’s internal probe body on the issue.
September 3
The Bureau of Customs raids the Discaya compound and seizes their luxury cars.
PCAB revokes the licenses of nine Discaya-linked firms.
The Department Of Justice (DOJ) issues immigration lookout orders for implicated contractors and DPWH officials.
September 4
Groups stage protests outside St. Gerrard Construction in Pasig City, a firm owned by Sarah and Curlee Discaya.
September 5
Dismissed Bulacan 1st District engineer Henry Alcantara is found guilty of grave misconduct over the Bulacan flood project anomalies.
In a seven-page ruling, Secretary Vince Dizon pointed to the so-called ghost projects in Barangay Piel, Baliwag, and Barangay Perez, Bulacan—both fully paid for by the government despite never being built.
The decision reads: “Respondent’s (Alcantara) failure to safeguard public interest resulting in the payment of ‘ghost’ projects tarnished the image and integrity of DPWH.”
September 6
Calls mount for Rep. Zaldy Co, former appropriations panel chair, to address allegations linking him to budget insertions and Sunwest Inc.
Read: Who is Claudine Co?
September 8
Sarah and Curlee Discaya name lawmakers and officials in the scandal; those implicated issue denials.
Among the identified, actor and Quezon City First District Rep. Arjo Atayde, clarifies a viral photo with the couple was not from an arranged meeting: “I categorically deny the allegation that I benefited from any contractor. I have never dealt with them.”
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, meanwhile, alleges that Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co—then chair of the House appropriations panel—was behind billions of pesos worth of budget insertions for 2025.
Contractors also point to Bulacan’s 1st District officials, accusing them of running a “hiram lisensiya” scheme.
Amid the uproar, Senate President Chiz Escudero—who had earlier admitted to receiving a PHP30 million donation from a contractor—is removed from his post.
Former Senate President Tito Sotto is reinstalled, backed by a newly reconfigured majority bloc.
September 9
Former DPWH district engineer Brice Hernandez tags Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva in flood control anomalies, presenting photos of alleged kickback cash stacked in a room.
Both deny involvement.
Curlee Discaya tells the House InfraComm he will no longer add names to his list.
Sen. Lacson alleges ex-DPWH Secretary Bonoan’s daughter was a business partner of Globalcrete Builders, which bagged PHP2.195 billion worth of Bulacan projects between 2018 and 2024.
September 10
Senate President Tito Sotto rejects Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s recommendation for the DOJ to place Sarah and Curlee Discaya under the Witness Protection Program.
On the same day, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announces it is investigating 52 contractors suspected of violating the Omnibus Election Code by contributing to political candidates in the 2022 elections.
This is seen as a possible breach since contractors with government dealings are prohibited from financing campaigns.
Meanwhile, television host Maine Mendoza again comes to the defense of her husband, actor-turned-politician Rep. Arjo Atayde, after his name surfaced in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
September 11
President Marcos issues an executive order forming an independent three-member commission tasked to probe anomalies in infrastructure projects nationwide.
The move is intended to establish an impartial body outside existing agencies like DPWH and COA, which have been implicated in the scandal.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson flags a PHP355 million insertion in the 2025 national budget earmarked for Bulacan.
He notes the figure mirrors allegations made by Brice Hernandez, who earlier claimed that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada pushed for the same allocation.
September 12
So-called “Black Friday” protests break out across Metro Manila, with demonstrators denouncing corruption in flood control projects and demanding accountability.
In Pasig, Mayor Vico Sotto unveils what he calls a “diploma system” in project awarding, where local officials distribute contracts to favored firms as casually as handing out diplomas—bypassing due process and competitive bidding.
Adding to the exposés, a former government contractor, alias "Aldrin," testifies on how projects are manipulated from the start of the bidding process.
He describes a culture of collusion among lawmakers, contractors, and DPWH officials designed to predetermine winners and inflate costs.
September 15
Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva declare they are prepared to open their bank accounts to prove they did not receive kickbacks from flood control projects.
Both had been named in a testimony linking them to alleged payouts.
President Marcos names former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes as chair of the newly-formed Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), signaling a push to give the body legal gravitas and credibility.
Also on this day, the Quezon City government reveals that 66 flood control projects supposedly implemented within the city could not be physically located.
September 16
The government freezes the bank accounts of contractors allegedly tied to anomalous flood control projects.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, along with BSP and AMLC officials, announce that banks have been notified of the move, which covers only the first batch of implicated names.
Among those listed are former DPWH district engineer Brice Hernandez, former Assistant District Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office Chief Accountant Juanito Mendoza, Wawao Builders GM Mark Allan Arevalo, and contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya.
September 17
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) says it is preparing to submit to the DOJ a strong case against DPWH officials and several contractors linked to the flood control scandal.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago reveals that 7 to 8 of the 15 firms flagged by President Marcos share the same directors, which hints at interlocking boards.
He confirms the agency coordinated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to verify these ties.
Santiago also admits the controversy has reached the NBI itself.
The agency’s main building along Taft Avenue is being constructed by Way Maker General Contractor, owned by the Discayas and awarded by the DPWH.
The PHP2.4-billion project began in 2023.
September 18
At a Senate Blue Ribbon hearing, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon admits the Philippines has no updated master plan for flood control.
Senator Risa Hontiveros warns that without coordination, projects have worsened flooding instead of easing it.
Dizon says the last plan dates back to 2013, with a new one still being drafted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank.
On the same day, contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and former DPWH Bulacan engineer Henry Alcantara are cited in contempt for lying to the committee.
Senator Erwin Tulfo berates Curlee for giving false excuses about Sarah Discaya’s absence: “You lied! You lied! Paano pa kami maniniwala sa mga pinagsasasabi mo?”
Meanwhile, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta questions why Dizon accepted the courtesy resignation of DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, whom he accused of being involved in budget insertions.
Cabral will be subpoenaed as a private citizen in the next hearing.
Contractor Mina Elamparo Jose of WJ Construction testifies to clarify her name after being tagged in the House hearing by Brice Hernandez.
A face-off ensues between Hernandez and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, with Hernandez backtracking from earlier statements that tied Estrada and Sen. Joel Villanueva to kickbacks.
Sen. Marcoleta quips to Estrada: “So, talagang safe ka na.”
September 19
Amid fresh protests and student walkouts in UP Los Baños and DLSU, Curlee Discaya and Brice Hernandez are temporarily released from Senate detention to appear before the DOJ.
The Discayas request entry into the Witness Protection Program.
Public anger intensifies after Curlee arrives in a bulletproof vest and carrying a Louis Vuitton bag reportedly worth nearly half a million pesos. Sarah, meanwhile, tries to go incognito with a face mask and cap.
Later that day, Sen. Panfilo Lacson reveals on social media that the Discayas’ nine firms were awarded contracts worth over PHP207 billion between 2016 and 2025.
Former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez also sits for a “tell-all” session with the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).
Wearing a bulletproof vest, he voluntarily surrenders his Ferrari and Lamborghini, with ICI adviser Baguio Mayor Benjie Magalong describing his testimony as “very constructive” and filled with “positive leads.”
Meanwhile, Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas orders the preventive suspension of 16 DPWH personnel from the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office following fraud audit reports on “ghost” projects.
The six-month suspension aims to prevent interference in the probe and protect public records.
September 20
Senate President Tito Sotto confirms that former DPWH assistant engineer Brice Hernandez, currently under Senate custody, was temporarily allowed to leave to gather evidence supporting his claims against officials tied to the flood control scandal.
Sotto says Hernandez was escorted under heavy guard and will also testify before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).
Hernandez had earlier implicated Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, but asked that his contempt order be lifted so he could secure documents; Sen. Lacson denied the request to avoid giving him special treatment.
September 21
On the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, nationwide protests erupt against flood control corruption.
Demonstrations are staged at the EDSA People Power Monument and Luneta in Manila, as well as in Cebu, Bacolod, and Iloilo.
The Luneta rally, branded “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon Na Laban sa Korapsyon!,” is organized by the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado (TAMA NA) alliance, and backed by over 20 groups, including Greenpeace, Makabayan, Gabriela, and Kilusang Mayo Uno.
Convenor David San Juan says their demands include removing corrupt officials from office, prosecuting them, and reallocating stolen funds toward health, housing, education, and aid for flood victims.
At EDSA, the “Trillion Peso March” unfolds as a church-led protest spearheaded by groups such as the Church Leaders’ Council for National Transformation, 1Sambayan, and Clergy for Good Governance.
Organizers stress it is not an ouster rally but a demand for accountability “across all administrations.” Attendance is projected to reach 30,000.
Read: Anne Curtis, dadalo sa kilos-protesta laban sa korapsyon