President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to go after those behind the failed multibillion-peso flood control program, as he kicked off the second half of his term with his fiercest anti-corruption message yet.

“Hindi ako mangingimi — pananagutin ang dapat managot,” he declared, slamming officials who enriched themselves while communities suffered. (I will not hesitate — I will hold accountable those responsible.)

“Mahiya naman kayo!” the President exclaimed, his voice rising as he condemned the betrayal of public trust. (Have some shame!)

The declaration was among the most powerful highlights of his one-and-a-half-hour speech delivered in Filipino, which also tackled the economy, peace and order, health services, and national security, among other things.

Marcos’s strong anti-corruption pitch earned a standing ovation.

“I can clearly see that many flood control projects are sloppy and crumbling, and others are just imaginary,” he said. “Let’s stop pretending. The entire public knows there were kickbacks in these projects.”

The Chief Executive has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit the list of flood control projects since 2022 for him for review.

He noted that kickbacks, “initiative,” “errata,” “SOP,” and “for the boys” still existed, saying that inside jobs might have occurred to fool the public and steal from the nation’s coffers.

“You should be ashamed of the homes swept away or submerged in floods. You should be even more ashamed for our children, who will inherit the debts you incurred—money you simply pocketed,” Marcos said.

According to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) data, the recent floods inundated 1,409 areas, affecting 1,834,663 persons in 17 regions.

Marcos directed regional project monitoring bodies to examine the DPWH list and highlight the projects that were failures, unfinished, and “ghost” projects.

To ensure that those responsible will be held accountable, the list will be made available to the public.

“We will make this list public,” Marcos said. “That way, citizens who have witnessed these projects firsthand are free to review the list and share what they know to help our investigation.”

He also said an audit and performance review will be conducted to ensure that funds were used properly.

“In the coming months, all those found guilty in the investigation—including their accomplice contractors—will be charged,” he stressed.

“The people deserve to know the whole truth. Someone must be held accountable for the damage and the corruption that occurred,” he added.

Sweeping the budget

To prevent questionable public works projects from being inserted into next year’s General Appropriations Bill (GAB), Marcos said he will return any proposals not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

He said he is “willing to work with a reenacted budget” if necessary.

“I will not approve any budget that does not align with the government’s plan for the Filipino people,” he said.

4 senators skip SoNA

Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, was among four members of the Senate who skipped the SoNA.

Ms. Marcos said she had a previous commitment to distribute nutribuns and school supplies to those affected by Tropical Storm Crising.

The other senators who did not attend were Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald de la Rosa, and Robin Padilla, all known supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I’m experiencing a severe back spasm that needs to be checked by a doctor immediately because I don’t want it to worsen and affect my work,” Go said.

“Even if I won’t be there physically, I will still listen to the SoNA because it is part of my responsibility as a senator. We want to know what the administration has accomplished over the past three years, and we will continue to monitor the President’s promises to the people,” he said.

Padilla, on the other hand, said he was not attending in protest of former president Duterte’s incarceration in the Hague, Netherlands.