With trillions spent on infrastructure projects, still, dikes collapsed, and farms and houses were flooded. In different venues, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong bared ghost contracts, inferior quality, misappropriation of funds, and overpricing by contractors, engineers, and politicians.

Lacson, in his privilege speech, stated the misappropriation of funds in flood control projects. Presented were evidence on projects completed only on paper, embankments that were repeatedly constructed, and dikes costing hundreds of millions that collapsed. Only around 40 percent of the ₱1.9 trillion for flood control allotted since 2011 was actually spent on construction. The rest of the funds were allegedly divided among contractors, politicians, auditors, and engineers .

Meanwhile, Magalong in previous forums and in his interview with Jessica Soho stated that his investigation discovered rock netting costing ₱6,000 but sold at ₱25,000, cat’s eyes reflectors canvassed at ₱1,350 yet bought at ₱11,720, and barriers contracted for ₱121,330 but cost only ₱20,000. Most glaring is his revelation that only around 30 percent of the project amount really reaches execution .

With the revelations, swift and angry reactions were immediately observed. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, said in his State of the Nation Address, “Mahiya naman kayo!” in the halls of Congress. Senators condemned the scandal. Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor blasted failed dikes costing nearly a billion pesos per kilometer , and Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando ordered a review of all projects. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David declared that while climate change is real, the greater disaster was corruption itself . Online, Filipinos expressed outrage in blunt words: “Budget straight to their pockets.”

As expected, reformers have been criticized. A smear campaign was flung at Mayor Magalong in an effort to silence his disclosures. This is a normal tactic by detractors to hush voices that threaten entrenched interests. He is not alone, though, as most Filipinos disgusted at the pervasive corruption rallied behind him. A Manifesto of Support for Mayor Benjamin Magalong was issued with 465 signatories (and counting), led by Cpt Roberto Yap (Ret), stating:

“We, the undersigned, express our complete and steadfast support for Mayor Benjamin Magalong in his courageous crusade against corruption.

“The Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM) together with the Clergy and the Civil Societies stand shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Benjamin Magalong in his fearless fight against corruption. He has spoken the truth with courage — that while corruption is rampant, not all in Congress are guilty. Many remain good and honorable, faithfully serving the people. He has been fair, clear, and consistent.

“Some people, who continue to hide their sins against the country and people by living in the dark and refuse to accept even a flicker of light, choose to twist his words while they attack his character instead of backing him up. This is absolutely wrong. To target Mayor Magalong is to side with corruption itself. Those who are innocent and honorable in Senate and in Congress should not feel threatened — they should join him in cleansing our government of thieves who rob the nation’s future.

“Mayor Magalong has nothing to gain but the trust of the people. He has risked reputation, comfort, and safety to speak for what is right. He should receive respect instead of condemnation for this action. People recognize in him the kind of leader we wish for because he embodies honesty and bravery while staying true to the truth.

“We will never allow his name to be dragged through the mud. His fight goes beyond his personal fight because it protects the rights of our children and the future of our nation and the dignity of Filipinos who have been deceived by corruption.

“We stand with Mayor Magalong. We stand for justice, integrity, and a government that serves the people, not the corrupt few.

Enough is enough. The time to end corruption is now.”

The impacts of corruption are clear. Embezzled funds could have built countless hospitals and schools. Trust in the government weakens with overpriced and shoddy projects. Lives were lost, injuries were incurred, and properties were destroyed when flood control projects failed to perform their intended function.

A decisive point is reached. Will the findings spur the tides of change? Or, will the waters ebb as the outrage declines? History tells us that the cycle may continue until the next flood. But perhaps, with leaders like Lacson and Magalong and citizens loath to be quiet, the tide can finally turn against the flood of corruption and steer us to a brighter future.