MANILA, Philippines โ A new investigation by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has revealed that billions of pesos in flood-control funds during the first three years of the Marcos administration have flowed into the hands of politically connected contractors, some of whom live in lavish luxury despite questionable track records.
Between July 2022 and May 2025, the government spent more than โฑ545 billion for 9,855 flood-control projects, PCIJ reported on Sunday, August 31.
But data show that a handful of contractors cornered multi-billion contracts while many flood-prone areas in Mindanao received little to no funding.
โKing and Queen of Flood Controlโ
At the center of the exposรฉ are Pacifico โCurleeโ II and Cezarah โSarahโ Discaya, who, through at least six construction firms, secured 345 projects worth โฑ25.2 billion. Including firms believed linked to them, their haul rises to โฑ31 billion.
The Discayasโ fortune is evident in their sprawling compound decorated with crystal chandeliers and statues, as well as a garage boasting over 40 luxury cars valued at โฑ337 million to โฑ465 million, PCIJ said.
Political Families Benefit
The report also points to the Co family of Albay, whose construction companies bagged โฑ15.7 billion worth of contracts.
Claudine Co, daughter of Congressman Christopher Co and niece of House appropriations chair Elizaldy โZaldyโ Co, heads Sunwest Inc. and Hi-Tone Construction, which won contracts worth over โฑ14 billion combined. Her sister, Vice Gov. Farida Co, also obtained projects worth โฑ1.2 billion.
Lawmakers Under Scrutiny
At least 18 lawmakers in the 20th Congress are linked to contracting firms, according to PCIJ. Some local officials alleged that legislators received commissions of 30% to 40% from project funds.
Both the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the House Committee on Infrastructure are set to hold hearings this week to investigate the findings.
Troubled Contractors Still Win
Despite poor performance ratings and unresolved graft cases, several top contractors continue to secure major projects.
Discaya-linked firms have been flagged for malfunctioning infrastructure and are under tax scrutiny. Sunwest and Hi-Tone also received low marks under the governmentโs Construction Performance Evaluation System.
Unequal Distribution
PCIJ also found that the allocation of funds favored Luzon, particularly Metro Manila and Bulacan, which together cornered 15% of the total budget.
Metro Manila alone received โฑ52.5 billion, despite being 16 times smaller than flood-prone Maguindanao provinces, which got only โฑ2.4 billion.
In contrast, Tawi-Tawi received no flood-control projects at all during the period covered.
Billions at Stake
The revelations highlight systemic issues in infrastructure spending.
Flood-control projectsโone of the biggest public works line items under the Marcos administrationโare riddled with alleged corruption, conflicts of interest, and inequitable distribution.
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