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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'To see is to believe': VP Sara says gov't's sincerity will be tested to go after those involved in flood control mess

'To see is to believe': VP Sara says gov't's sincerity will be tested to go after those involved in flood control mess

Published Nov 23, 2025 12:47 pm  |  Updated Nov 23, 2025 02:01 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)
Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)
Vice President Sara Duterte said on Sunday, Nov. 23, that the Marcos administration’s sincerity to go after those involved in the flood control corruption scandal, which allegedly includes his cousin—former speaker Martin Romualdez—will be tested as the government starts to file charges.
“To see is to believe,” she stressed during an interview with TV5 in Davao City.
“So, makikita natin yung sincerity ng (we will see the sincerity of the) administration to go after the perpetrators of the flood control scandal, corruption kung makikita natin na maiprisinta nga nila ng tama at maayos yung ebidensya at merong managot doon sa nangyari (we will see if they present the evidence accurately and they will hold people accountable),” she added.
Her remarks came after charges have been filed against resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and 17 others. Warrants of arrest have also been issued due to their involvement in the multi-billion-peso flood control mess.
The government is said to be also eyeing the cancellation of Co’s passport.
Asked about the possibility of the administration filing a case against Romualdez—the President’s first cousin and close ally—Duterte said it still remains to be seen.
“Yes, same. Sa lahat ng mga sinasabi ng administrasyon na kanilang kakasuhan at ikukulong ay (To everything that the administration is saying that they will file charges against and will put to prison, it is) to see is to believe,” the Vice President said.
“Makikita natin ang sinseridad nila kung totoo ngang may managot diyan (We will see their sincerity if someone will really be made accountable),” she added.
On Friday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended the prosecution of Co and Romualdez for plunder, graft, and direct bribery in connection with the anomalous flood control projects.
The joint DPWH-ICI referral recommending the criminal charges to the Office of the Ombudsman also included members of the board of Sunwest Inc. and Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp., two public works contractors linked to Co and were involved in the flood control projects from 2016 to 2025.
This is the first time that Romualdez was held liable for the corruption scandal that broke out in August this year following Marcos’ revelations during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July that only 15 companies out of 2,000 nationwide bagged over P500 billion pesos worth of government infrastructure projects.
To recall, Duterte has alleged in the past that Romualdez and Co control the nation’s coffers.

Related Tags

VP Sara Duterte flood control scandal Martin Romualdez ICI Elizaldy Co
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