MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed that most individuals charged in connection with corruption in flood control projects would be behind bars before Christmas, as his administration intensifies efforts to ensure accountability and justice.

In a news conference at Malacañang, President Marcos highlighted the progress since his July 28 Fourth State of the Nation Address, which led to the filing of criminal complaints against those accused of malversing public funds through ghost and substandard flood control projects, issuance of asset freeze orders, and the implementation of systemic reforms in infrastructure projects.

“Alam ko, bago mag-Pasko, marami dito sa napangalanan… Matatapos na ‘yung kaso nila, buo na ‘yung kaso. Makukulong na sila. Wala silang Merry Christmas,” the President said.

President Marcos said his administration is focusing on three objectives: holding accountable those responsible for corruption, recovering stolen public funds, and instituting reforms to prevent malpractice.

“Kaya’t ‘yang mga taong ‘yan na kasabwat diyan, ito mga walanghiyang nagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan: Tapos na ang maliligaya ninyong araw. Habulin na namin kayo,” he declared.

The President stressed that cases are being built carefully on solid evidence to avoid dismissals due to legal technicalities. “Kaya tinitiyak namin na pagka kami ay sumampa ng kaso, ‘yang kasong ‘yan ay hanggang sa dulo ay matibay… At kung kailangan at kung huhusgahan sila ng korte ay makukulong sila,” he added.

Since the last SONA, Malacañang has launched a nationwide audit and investigation, and created the Sumbong sa Pangulo website to receive public reports.

So far, criminal cases have been filed against current and former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Commission on Audit (COA), legislators, and contractors. Notable filings include:

• Charges against contractors St. Timothy Construction, Wawao Builders, and SYMS Construction Trading, along with the blacklisting of nine companies linked to Pacifico and Sarah Discaya.
• Graft charges against 20 officials and personnel of the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) and six contractors.
• Malversation and graft cases against officials and personnel from La Union 2nd DEO, Davao Occidental DEO, and four contractors.
• Tax evasion cases worth PhP8.86 billion filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against 89 contractors and nine DPWH and COA officials.
• Bid-rigging cases filed by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) involving PhP3 billion to PhP5 billion in penalties.

Additionally, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has issued seven freeze orders covering PhP6.3 billion in bank accounts, real properties, vehicles, insurance policies, and e-wallets—the largest assets seizure in corruption-related history in the country.

President Marcos reiterated that the administration’s strategy is to ensure justice is served while safeguarding the integrity of cases from procedural errors that could allow the guilty to escape accountability.