Last year left a turbulent landscape suffering from the ongoing flood control projects corruption scandal, the most damaging graft controversy in recent history, which placed the nation in a critical juncture in rebuilding investor confidence.

The scandal, which implicated the highest public officials, exposed widespread irregularities in billions of pesos allocated for flood mitigation. Investigations revealed “ghost” projects that existed only on paper, substandard construction using inferior materials to accommodate kickbacks, budget manipulation to prioritize largesse for legislators, and overpriced contracts funneled through a network of favored contractors and lawmakers.

Estimates ranged from P118.5 billion to higher figures when related infrastructure fraud was included, with authorities freezing assets worth over P20 billion.

Yet, against this backdrop of distrust, the landmark partnership between Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a subsidiary of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, stood out as a compelling and replicable business model for channeling substantial FDI into a country starved of infrastructure.

Announced in December 2025 and formalized by definitive agreements signed shortly thereafter, the deal saw GIP acquire a 40 percent stake in Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) for P13.7 billion.

The transaction involved a hybrid: a primary capital infusion of P4.65 billion into AIC for expansion and a secondary share purchase from AEV, which values AIC at around P34 billion while allowing the Aboitiz Group to retain a 60 percent majority.

AIC, the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz conglomerate, manages a diversified portfolio spanning airports, including the busy Mactan-Cebu International Airport; water and wastewater facilities, such as Apo Agua and LIMA Water; digital infrastructure, through Unity Digital and data center joint ventures and economic estates covering over 2,000 hectares.

The partnership, which traces discussions back over a decade and intensified in 2025 with high-level endorsements, including from President Marcos during a state visit to the United States, brings GIP’s global expertise in managing assets like London Gatwick Airport and Sydney Airport to enhance operational efficiency, sustainability, and project delivery in the Philippines.

What makes this deal particularly pivotal is its emphasis on private-sector governance, transparency, and alignment with national priorities without relying on scandal-prone public procurement processes.

Unlike government-funded flood control projects plagued by congressional insertions, kickbacks of often 20 to 25 percent of contract values, and a lack of oversight, the BlackRock-GIP investment operates through clear shareholders’ agreements, rigorous due diligence, and international standards of accountability.

GIP’s involvement introduces proprietary networks, best practices in sustainable infrastructure, and a focus on long-term value creation.

As Sabin Aboitiz, president and CEO of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, noted, “GIP brings deep global expertise across energy, transport, digital infrastructure, and utilities, which will strengthen AIC’s ability to scale, deliver faster, and create long-term value.”

Similarly, Ray Nadarajah, GIP’s emerging Markets Partner, emphasized the collaboration’s role in “delivering essential infrastructure that strengthens communities, drives economic progress, and creates lasting value.”

In a year when overall FDI has remained modest amid global uncertainties and domestic scandals, this transaction, one of the most significant foreign equity investments in Philippine infrastructure recently, signals renewed confidence in private conglomerates with strong governance.

By leveraging local expertise, through Aboitiz’s deep roots and operational track record, with global capital and know-how, the model demonstrates how FDI can accelerate critical projects like airport modernizations, digital broadband expansion, and water security without the pitfalls of public tenders.

Analysts view it as a catalyst for similar partnerships, potentially reversing declines in FDI and fostering synergies across sectors such as renewables and logistics.

Furthermore, this deal underscores the potential for public-private synergies in a post-scandal era.

While the flood control controversy has prompted calls for systemic reforms, the BlackRock-Aboitiz alliance offers a parallel pathway: attracting institutional investors to transparent, privately managed platforms.

It prioritizes measurable outcomes, such as improved passenger handling at airports or resilient digital networks, directly benefiting economic growth and job creation.

The BlackRock-GIP partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital emerges as an exemplary investment blueprint.

It demonstrates that robust private governance can unlock billions in FDI, even amid crises of confidence.

By replicating the model by emphasizing accountability, international partnerships, and direct capital deployment, the country can redirect investment flows toward genuine, impactful infrastructure, turning the tide from corruption’s devastation to sustainable progress.

Thus, the Blackrock-Aboitiz deal was not merely a transaction but a coup that opens the way toward a more resilient and investor-friendly future.