The human cost of the Philippines’ flood-control corruption scandal

Al JazeeraCenterEN 1 min read 100% complete November 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

The Philippines' government has allocated $9.5 billion in taxpayer funds to over 9,800 flood-control projects in the last three years, amid a typhoon-prone country's increasing exposure to natural disasters. Recent audits have revealed widespread cases of corruption, with multiple officials accused of pocketing huge kickbacks and funding lavish lifestyles. The government's flood-control efforts are being undermined by corruption, leaving the most vulnerable populations exposed to the consequences. Street protests have erupted in response to the scandal, putting pressure on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address the issue. The corruption scandal has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of the government's disaster preparedness and response measures. The Philippines' population is increasingly at risk due to the lack of transparency and accountability in flood-control projects.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ×2100% Philippines ×3100%

Keywords

flood-control projects 90% corruption scandal 90% flood-control corruption 90% government accountability 80% typhoon-prone countries 80% taxpayer funds 70%