The influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) church has intensified its challenge to the government over the alleged flood control corruption, demanding to know: “What further evidence is being awaited before the masterminds behind the corruption will be seriously pursued?”

In a strongly worded statement read by INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, the church expressed its mounting frustration over what it described as government inaction despite the public scrutiny, sworn testimonies and billions of pesos in questionable infrastructure spending.

The call was unequivocal: “Reveal the full truth. Hold those accountable who must be. Uphold justice so that public trust may be restored.”

“More than three months have passed, yet the people still see no resolution to the massive plunder of public funds,” Zabala said, recalling the INC’s 16 to 17 November rally that called for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace.

Instead of high level prosecutions, the church said that individuals who had spoken out or testified were the ones facing charges and harassment.

At the center of the controversy are allegations that more than P1 trillion allocated for flood control and other public works were pilfered through an intricate process using insertions and Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA) in the national budget.

The INC pointed to statements by individuals allegedly involved in transferring misdeclared funds, including former Marines who reportedly admitted delivering the money.

With these declarations now on record, the church questioned why the authorities had yet to broaden and conclude the investigation.

Between July 2022 and May 2025, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the government funded 9,855 flood control projects worth over P545 billion. Yet devastating floods persist.

Floods beyond control

Super typhoon “Carina” and tropical storm “Enteng” inundated wide swaths of the country, affecting nearly seven million people and causing billions in damage, even as thousands of completed projects were touted.

In his July State of the Nation Address, Marcos rebuked erring contractors: “Mahiya naman kayo!” (Have some shame).

Investigations into flood control contracts revealed that some of the biggest beneficiaries of government projects had checkered records.

Among the most prominent were companies linked to Pacifico “Curlee” II and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya who colluded with members of Congress and high officials in the Marcos administration.

Their firms — St. Timothy Construction Corp., Alpha & Omega Construction, St. Matthew Construction, and St. Gerrard Construction — were among the top recipients of flood-control contracts.

Together with other firms linked to them, the Discayas secured hundreds of projects totaling tens of billions of pesos.

At least 18 members of the 20th Congress were reported to have ownership stakes or links to companies that secured public works contracts.

Critics have questioned how Congress can impartially investigate alleged anomalies when some legislators are tied to contractors or are themselves accused of receiving kickbacks from budget insertions.

The INC also addressed claims that the appearance of former Marines in the controversy may be part of a destabilization plot.

“If that is the allegation, should this not all the more be investigated?” Zabala said, emphasizing that destabilization is a serious national security issue.

But the church stressed that substantial portions of the soldiers’ statements directly concern alleged plunder of public funds — an issue that it said cannot be sidelined.

“This is because those who are supposed to investigate appear to be focusing on events that could be used to divert attention from this issue to other matters,” Zabala said.

“It is wrong to think that Filipinos have forgotten this issue. The nation continues to wait vigilantly,” he added.

No conflict with snail-paced probe

In response to the INC’s call, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will remain guided by the evidence in investigating the alleged cash delivery scheme involving former military personnel.

Lacson emphasized that respecting the INC’s perspective does not conflict with his evidence-led approach.

“As chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I haven’t changed my position about being led by the evidence guided only by the prudent and logical way of treating any information that comes to my attention — to evaluate and validate the credibility and reliability of both the source as well as the information itself before taking action,” he said.

Lacson noted two key issues that require further scrutiny, including the alleged P805-billion in cash reportedly delivered to officials including President Marcos, which appears to be mathematically inconsistent with the admitted kickbacks, and the timing of the press conference to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the EDSA revolution and the ongoing International Criminal Court hearings related to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“I have nothing but respect for the INC and will forever be grateful for all the times they supported me,” Lacson said.

“Similarly, I respect their opinion regarding the 18 ex-military personnel who presented themselves at the Club Filipino last 24 February. Let me emphasize that having a different opinion does not imply disrespect,” he added.

Castro: Ombudsman has cases

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said several recommended cases are already before the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DoJ).

“Some of the recommended cases are already with the Ombudsman and the DoJ. Let us await their resolution. That is what we call the rule of law and due process,” Castro said.