Malacañang on Monday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s order to investigate allegedly anomalous flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is part of a broader effort to strengthen the Philippines’ anti-corruption credentials, amid warnings of a possible return to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed the administration’s commitment to accountability, saying: “Nagpaimbestiga ang Pangulo at tuluy-tuloy pa rin po ang pagpapanagot sa mga sangkot upang maging malinis po ang ating bansa sa isyu ng korapsyon.”
Castro said any legislative remedies fall under the mandate of Congress and added it was too early to determine whether the investigations would directly affect the country’s FATF status.
She pointed to ongoing cases and probes by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice as proof of the government’s seriousness in addressing corruption.
The Philippines exited the FATF grey list in May 2025 after four years of monitoring over gaps in anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing enforcement.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona has since warned that persistent corruption issues could jeopardize the country’s progress, with the next FATF review scheduled for 2027.
A possible return to the list could pose economic risks, including weaker investor confidence and higher transaction costs.