
Malacañang has called on local government officials nationwide to follow the example of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who recently reported to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. alleged irregularities in flood control projects within his city.
In a Monday press briefing, Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro praised Sotto’s swift action, saying it reflected the Marcos administration’s call for public cooperation in exposing corruption in government projects.
“Malacañang is also encouraging all local government officials to join the government’s call to report to the President any anomalous flood control projects, similar to what Mayor Vico Sotto did,” Castro said.
She noted that certain contractors enriched themselves under the previous administration — and remain active under the current one — but will still face investigation.
“No matter what name your company uses, it is your work that will be examined, and it is through your work that any anomaly will be revealed,” Castro warned, adding that some blacklisted companies have resurfaced under new names to continue securing government deals.
“Mahiya naman kayo!” she said, echoing the President’s own words during his recent State of the Nation Address.
According to Castro, the ongoing probe underscores the need for “collective action by the public and the government to fight the plagues of society.”
In a rare press conference earlier that day, President Marcos revealed that ₱100 billion — or 18% of the ₱545-billion budget for flood mitigation projects from July 2022 to May 2025 — went to just 15 out of 2,409 accredited contractors. He called the finding “disturbing” but stressed that no accusations have been made yet.
“We are not accusing anyone of anything yet. However, it gives us an idea of what and how this has been conducted,” Marcos said.