Palace: No names linked to flood project mess yet

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will not release the names of individuals allegedly involved in irregularities surrounding flood control projects until investigations yield verified results, according to Malacañang.

Speaking from New Delhi during the President’s state visit to India, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos is determined to avoid the premature disclosure of unverified information—a tactic she said was used by past administrations but will not be replicated under his leadership.

“Hindi po gagayahin ng Pangulo ang anumang klase ng pag-threaten lamang. Hindi po siya maglalabas ng anumang mga listahan na hindi verified. Kung nangyayari man ito sa mga nakaraang administrasyon, hindi po gagawin ng Pangulo ‘yan (The President will not imitate any kind of mere threats. He will not release any unverified lists. Even if this happened in past administrations, the President will not do that),” Castro said during a press briefing.

The statement comes amid growing public and political pressure for President Marcos to name those allegedly responsible for “ghost” or failed flood control projects, many of which have been blamed for widespread flooding in recent months.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a comprehensive list of all flood control projects carried out under his administration, identifying which were successful, incomplete, or non-existent.

Castro emphasized that while the administration remains firm in its anti-corruption stance, it will ensure that accountability is pursued responsibly and with due process.

“Sinabi niya po ito to serve as a warning para po mas mapaganda at mas maging transparent ang magiging budget ng 2026 (He said this to serve as a warning so that the 2026 budget would be improved and made more transparent),” Castro added, highlighting that the administration’s goal is to promote transparency in future infrastructure spending.

She also underscored that once the investigation concludes and findings are verified, the President will not hesitate to pursue legal action.

“So, kung ngayon po ay hindi pa po nakakapagbigay ng anumang pangalan dahil most probably hindi pa po tapos ang imbestigasyon (So, if no names have been given yet, it's most probably because the investigation is still not finished),” Castro said.

The probe continues as public scrutiny over government infrastructure spending intensifies amid recent devastating floods in various parts of the country.