Marcos Misses Christmas Deadline to Jail Kleptocrats; Only One Contractor Faces Justice?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

Marcos Misses Christmas Deadline to Jail Kleptocrats; Only One Contractor Faces Justice?

By Bing Jabadan and Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNATIONWEEK.Com | December 22, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has failed to meet his self-imposed Christmas deadline to jail corrupt officials implicated in a flood control scandal, undermining his administration’s pledge to tackle systemic corruption.

The missed deadline, amid escalating public outrage over the alleged misappropriation of trillions of pesos earmarked for vital infrastructure, raises critical questions about the government’s commitment to holding powerful individuals accountable.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Thursday its recommendation to file plunder, malversation, graft, and bribery charges against 87 individuals, a list that reads like a directory of Philippine power players.

The roster includes prominent politicians, influential business leaders, and former cabinet members, threatening to destabilize the country’s political establishment.

“The DPWH and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, in coordination with the Department of Justice, are formally recommending charges against these 87 individuals,” said Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon at a press briefing, emphasizing the extensive scope of the alleged corruption.

The investigation, launched following the President’s directive during his July 28 State of the Nation Address, scrutinized flood control projects undertaken in the past three years.

During his address, Marcos claimed that approximately P100 billion (approximately $1.8 billion USD) of the P545 billion allocated for critical infrastructure projects since 2022 had been illicitly diverted by 15 contractors.

A Who’s Who of Implicated Officials

The individuals facing potential charges represent a cross-section of the country’s political and bureaucratic power.

Among the most prominent are:

Former Speaker Martin Romualdez:

• Accusations against him carry significant weight, potentially implicating the highest levels of legislative oversight.

Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan:

• As the former head of the DPWH, Bonoan’s alleged involvement raises concerns about systemic corruption within the agency.

Senators Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Jose Ejercito Estrada:

• The inclusion of sitting senators underscores the potential reach of the scandal into the legislative branch.

Former senator Ramon Revilla Jr.:

• His past involvement in corruption scandals adds further scrutiny to his inclusion in the investigation.

Contractor Cezarah Discaya:

• While named among the implicated, Discaya is, so far, the only individual actually jailed in connection with the scandal, prompting questions about selective prosecution.

Former DPWH Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral:

• The alleged involvement of these high-ranking officials within the DPWH points to potential internal complicity and systemic failures.

Frozen Assets Offer Glimpse into Alleged Illicit Gains

Authorities have moved to freeze assets linked to the probe, totaling P13 billion (approximately $234 million USD). This includes a staggering 4,679 bank accounts, 283 insurance policies, 255 vehicles, 178 real estate properties, 16 e-wallet accounts, and three securities accounts, offering a tangible glimpse into the alleged illicit gains and the complexity of untangling the financial web.

The sheer volume of frozen assets underscores the potential scale of the corruption and the challenges in recovering misappropriated funds.

Selective Justice? Why Only Discaya Behind Bars?

While the DPWH maintains it is actively collaborating with multiple government agencies to further investigate the alleged irregularities, the fact that only contractor Discaya has been jailed in Cebu raises serious questions about the administration’s commitment to holding powerful individuals accountable.

The public is increasingly asking: 

Where are the congressmen and senators?

The delay in arresting and prosecuting other implicated officials fuels public skepticism and underscores the challenges of prosecuting corruption cases involving influential figures.

The apparent disparity in treatment raises concerns about potential political interference and selective enforcement of the law.

Broken Promises, Eroding Trust

The deadline on Marcos’ pledge to deliver swift justice further erodes public trust in the administration’s ability to combat corruption effectively. The promise to jail kleptocrats before Christmas was a key element in reassuring the public that the government was serious about tackling corruption at the highest levels.

The failure to meet the deadline casts a shadow over the entire investigation and raises doubts about the political will to hold powerful individuals accountable.

As the flood control scandal widens, the public awaits further developments with growing impatience, demanding transparency and accountability from their elected officials.

The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the Marcos administration can regain public trust and deliver on its promise to combat corruption at the highest levels, or whether this missed deadline will become a defining symbol of unfulfilled promises and selective justice.

The investigation’s progress, or lack thereof, will undoubtedly shape public perception of the administration’s commitment to good governance and the rule of law.