SC Demands Answers on Flood Control Crisis as Whistleblowers Allege Trillion Pesos in Project Kickbacks

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

SC Demands Answers on Flood Control Crisis as Whistleblowers Allege Trillion Pesos in Project Kickbacks

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | October 17, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a landmark order compelling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and key government agencies to respond to a writ of kalikasan, a legal action demanding accountability for the nation’s escalating flood crisis.

The move comes amid mounting public outrage and explosive allegations of corruption, with whistleblowers claiming trillions of pesos have been siphoned off through “ghost projects” and illicit kickbacks, leaving communities vulnerable to devastating floods.

The SC’s Sept. 30 resolution, made public on Thursday, directs President Marcos, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and numerous government agencies, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways, to address the petition filed by lawyer Edna Selloriquez and concerned citizens.

The petitioners are demanding a comprehensive cleanup of the environment and the immediate disclosure of a master plan for flood control, which they allege has been deliberately obscured.

The order also extends to all local government units and private contractors involved in flood control projects, signaling a broad investigation into potential malfeasance.

The legal challenge arrives in the wake of bombshell accusations by businessman Antonio Leviste, who publicly named a high-ranking DPWH undersecretary as a key figure allegedly connected to corrupt flood control contractors.

Leviste’s claims have ignited a firestorm, prompting calls for a full-scale investigation into the DPWH and its handling of flood control funds.

“The situation is dire,” says Selloriquez. “We are facing a crisis of epic proportions, and the government’s response has been woefully inadequate. We believe that corruption is at the heart of this problem, and we are determined to hold those responsible accountable.”

The writ of kalikasan is a powerful legal tool designed to protect citizens’ constitutional right to a healthy environment.

The high court’s decision to hear the case underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for transparency and action.

“This is a critical moment for the Philippines,” says environmental advocate Maria Santos. “The Supreme Court’s order is a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning. We need a comprehensive overhaul of our flood control policies and a relentless pursuit of those who have profited from the suffering of our people.”

The nation now awaits the government’s response, as the Supreme Court prepares to delve into the murky depths of the flood control crisis and the allegations of corruption that threaten to drown the country.

The stakes are high, and the future of countless communities hangs in the balance.