March 6, 2026
MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday criticized what she called the “deafening silence” of civil society and other groups on corruption allegations involving anomalies in infrastructure and flood control projects as the House of Representatives continued to advance impeachment complaints against her.
Duterte issued the statement as she commended former la former security personnel of former Zaldy Co who recently came forward.
The 18 men, presented at a press conference by lawyer Levito Baligod, identified themselves as former Philippine Marines and alleged they had served as “bagmen” in the delivery of some P805 billion in kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects to several lawmakers as well as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“But while the allegations against me were immediately made the center of hearings, privilege speeches, and relentless fishing expeditions under investigations supposedly ‘in aid of legislation,’ the silence now seems deafening,” Duterte said.
“The silence of civil society groups that used to be quick to issue statements, of religious leaders willing to stand up on issues of morality, and of lawmakers who say they are for transparency and accountability is deafening,” she added.
“In addition, there seems to be no interest or immediate action from the current administration to investigate the truth regarding the billions in bribes related to flood control, the [International Criminal Court], and the impeachment efforts against me,” the Vice President further lamented.
Duterte stressed that outrage over corruption issues should not be “selective.”
“You can’t choose who to investigate. And you can’t remain silent when those involved are close to power. The people’s money shouldn’t be put in a suitcase, and the truth shouldn’t be kept in silence,” she added.
In his 2024 State of the Nation Address (Sona), Marcos announced the completion of 5,000 flood control projects nationwide. However, flooding that followed Typhoon Carina — which struck during and after his speech that year — cast doubt on the claim.
A year later, during his fourth Sona on July 28, 2025, Marcos publicly scolded government officials allegedly involved in corruption tied to flood control projects.
Following this, the Office of the Ombudsman filed two cases related to flood control projects before the Sandiganbayan — one involving Co and another involving former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., along with several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Meanwhile, another case involving controversial contractor Cezarah Discaya and other DPWH officials was filed before a regional trial court.
All three cases are currently undergoing trial.
Meanwhile, the lower chamber recently advanced impeachment complaints against Duterte and just recently declared them sufficient in form and substance. /das