The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a significant development in its high-profile probe into anomalous flood control projects on Monday, December 22, 2025. Contractor Sally Santos, owner of SYMS Construction Trading, has returned PHP 15 million to the government as partial restitution.
Partial Restitution Under MOA Terms
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed the news, stating that the amount was delivered via armored vehicles earlier that day. The PHP 15 million payment is part of the terms under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the government and applicant witnesses involved in the controversial infrastructure projects. "I just received word that the armored vehicles that arrived earlier today carried the amount of more or less PHP 15 million as part of the partial restitution by Sally Santos pursuant to the terms of her MOA," Martinez told reporters in an interview.
License Lending Scheme Revealed
The investigation gained momentum during recent legislative inquiries, where Santos made a startling admission. She confessed to lending her contractor's license to engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This arrangement allowed them to use her credentials for the flood control projects in exchange for a 3 percent 'royalty' fee.
However, Santos defended her actions during the inquiry, claiming she was unaware that her license would be utilized for what are now alleged to be anomalous projects. Her defense centered on a lack of knowledge regarding the illicit nature of the undertakings at the time the agreement was made.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Implications
This partial repayment marks a crucial step in the DOJ's meticulous investigation into the flood control projects. The return of a substantial sum suggests cooperation from individuals involved, potentially as part of a broader strategy to uncover the full extent of the irregularities. The case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability and transparency in government infrastructure contracts. The DOJ's continued scrutiny signals a firm stance against corruption in public works, with this restitution serving as a tangible outcome of its investigative efforts.
