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Thirty-four business groups, including those in the supply chain, signed a joint resolution urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take swift and decisive action on the massive corruption scandal crippling the country’s flood control and infrastructure projects
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The signatories included the Association of International Shipping Lines and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines
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The coalition calls for empowering the Independent Commission on Infrastructure with full legal authority and independence to conduct a swift, comprehensive investigation, free from political influence
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The prosecution of all those responsible, and for Marcos to implement institutional reforms was also pushed
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Presidential Communications Office undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro assured the business community that the government is actively working to combat corruption while strengthening transparency and accountability within the bureaucracy
Thirty-four business groups, including those in the supply chain, signed a joint resolution urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take swift and decisive action on the massive corruption scandal crippling the country’s flood control and infrastructure projects.
“We, the major business organizations representing members across all sectors—large, medium, small, and micro-enterprises are co-signing this resolution, urgently calling on your administration to address, without delay, the historic, massive, and unprecedented corruption scandal crippling our flood control and infrastructure projects a crisis that has eroded public trust and now threatens our national security,” the coalition, which includes the Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL) and Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), said in its appeal.
They added: “We have contributed to national funds thru taxes locally and nationally and have paid additional assessment of taxes. We provided many fees to enable us to do business. Yet, trillions of pesos supplied and intended to protect our communities from disasters have been squandered through ghost projects, substandard work, and inflated contracts. This is more than financial loss it is a fatal breach of public trust that leaves our people vulnerable and outraged.”
The coalition called for empowering the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) with full legal authority and independence to conduct a swift, comprehensive investigation, free from political influence.
READ: BOC turns over documents to ICI for flood-control probe
Established last September through Executive Order No. 94, the ICI is an independent ad hoc fact-finding commission tasked with investigating flood control and other infrastructure projects implemented from 2015 onwards. It was created following reports and allegations of massive irregularities, misuse of funds, and possible corruption in government flood control and related projects.
The coalition sought the prosecution of all those responsible, impartially and without regard of rank, position, political affiliation or personal relations.
READ: BOC issues seizure warrant for 13 Discaya-linked luxury vehicles
The coalition asked Marcos to implement institutional reforms, ensure restitution of ill-gotten wealth and embezzled funds of the government, and strengthen procurement and oversight systems, preventing future abuse.
Moreover, the coalition asked Marcos to provide regular public updates on the progress of investigations and reforms and to publicly disclose all audit findings to demonstrate genuine commitment and credibility.
“Mr. President, we strongly urge you to act decisively to signal your administration’s genuine commitment to justice, integrity, and accountable governance,” the coalition said.
In response, Presidential Communications Office undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro in a press briefing on October 20 assured the business community that the government is actively working to combat corruption while strengthening transparency and accountability within the bureaucracy.
Castro cited the launching of the Sumbong sa Pangulo website and the creation of the ICI to investigate anomalous flood control projects and other infrastructure.
Castro also cited the freeze orders on the assets of those implicated in corruption cases, alongside the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders and the recommendation to file charges against former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co., who was linked to a company that was part of the 15 contractors that Marcos earlier listed to have cornered P100 billion or 20% of the entire P545 billion budget for flood control projects that have been undertaken since the start of his term in 2022.
“So, marami na pong nagawa at marami pa pong iniimbestigahan (A lot has been accomplished and a lot more will be investigated),” she said.
On the call for empowering ICI with full legal authority and independence, Castro responded that the commission is currently working smoothly and the President is open to further strengthening its role.
Apart from AISL and SCMAP, the resolution was signed by the following:
- Association of Abaca Pulp Manufacturers of the Philippines
- Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry
- Association of Petrochemical Manufacturers of the Philippines
- Capital Markets Development Foundation, Inc.
- Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines
- Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
- Federation of Philippine Industries
- Financial Institute Executives of the Philippines
- FinTech Alliance Ph
- Fintech Philippines Association
- Good Governance Advocates of the Philippines
- Institute of Corporate Directors
- International Chamber of Commerce-Philippines
- IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines
- Justice Reform Initiative
- Makati Business Club
- Management Association of the Philippines
- Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors
- Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Philippine Exporters Confederation
- Philippine Food Exporters Confederation
- Philippine Franchise Association
- Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc.
- Philippine Plastics Industry Association
- Philippine Retailers Association
- Philippine Steelmakers Association
- Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association
- Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika
- Tax Management Association of the Philippines
- Women’s Business Council Philippines
- Filipina CEO Circle
- Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines
