President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued a stern warning to individuals implicated in irregularities surrounding flood control projects, vowing they will be imprisoned before Christmas this year.
No Merry Christmas for the Corrupt
During a press conference at Malacañang on Thursday, November 13, 2025, the President declared that the cases against many of the named individuals would be resolved, leading to their incarceration. "Before Christmas, many of those named here will have their cases resolved. They will be sent to jail. They won't have a merry Christmas. Before Christmas, they'll be imprisoned," Marcos stated emphatically.
He revealed that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) had already transmitted its first batch of case referrals to the Ombudsman in September. These initial cases implicate at least 37 individuals, including lawmakers, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and private contractors.
Key Figures and Charges
Among the specific names mentioned by the President were former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, and contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya.
The cases filed encompass a range of serious criminal charges, including:
- Graft and corruption
- Malversation of public funds
- Falsification of public documents
- Plunder
Administrative charges for violations of the Code of Conduct for public officials and employees have also been filed.
Building Strong Cases for Conviction
President Marcos stressed that the government is taking a meticulous approach to ensure that the cases are strong and will not be dismissed on legal technicalities. "We don't want them to get away with their cases because of a legal technicality. We make sure that when we file a case, it will stand strong until the end, and that they will be held accountable," he explained.
He added that every case filed will be backed by sufficient evidence to secure a conviction and avoid being junked by the courts. The government's focus is on three primary objectives: jailing those involved in corruption, recovering stolen public funds, and implementing systemic reforms to prevent future anomalies.
In a direct message to the accused, Marcos declared, "Your happy days are over. We're coming after you."
Status of Other Figures and Public Call
When questioned about his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the President clarified that no concrete evidence currently links him to the alleged irregularities. Similarly, no case has been filed yet against former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co, an alleged mastermind behind budget insertions. Marcos noted that Co's passport cannot be cancelled until formal charges are filed.
President Marcos reiterated that the government does not file cases for publicity but to secure convictions. He called on the public to continue reporting anomalous government projects through the Sumbong sa Pangulo portal, emphasizing the critical role of citizen information in the investigations.
