President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants his 2028 successor to continue his administration’s anti-corruption drive. But as Marcos seeks to make the fight against corruption part of his legacy, allegations have linked him personally to the flood control scandal that has become the centerpiece of his administration.

Marcos on Friday said he would “certainly” endorse a presidential candidate in 2028, stressing that continuing the efforts to curb corruption would be among his considerations in choosing a successor.

He cited digitalization and safeguards designed to limit opportunities for corrupt practices.

That pledge comes as allegations involving himself remain unresolved.

P56-B allegations

Former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co has accused Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez of involvement in a P56-billion kickback scheme tied to alleged anomalous flood control projects from 2022 to 2025.

Co also alleged that Marcos was behind about P100 billion in budget insertions in the 2025 national budget, which he said largely involved flood control projects.

The allegations have not been established in court, and Marcos has denied any wrongdoing.

He is also not a respondent in the latest Ombudsman complaint arising from the P56-billion allegations.

In July, a special Ombudsman panel filed a supplemental complaint against Romualdez, Co, and other respondents for plunder, graft, bribery and money laundering.

Cash delivery claims

Marcos was also named by 18 people who identified themselves as former Marines and bodyguards of Co who delivered suitcases allegedly containing cash to several government officials.

One of them claimed five suitcases were delivered to a property in Ilocos Norte for Marcos in 2022.

The claims have faced evidentiary questions. The NBI reported no flight record supporting one former Marine’s claim that he traveled with Co to Ilocos Norte to deliver cash to Marcos.

The Ombudsman also questioned whether the former Marines’ joint affidavit was based on their personal knowledge. The allegations against Marcos remain unproven.

Marcos created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure in September 2025 to investigate alleged irregularities in flood control and other infrastructure projects covering the previous decade.

The probe has since produced criminal cases against lawmakers, contractors, and government officials.

The Ombudsman said in June that it had 209 active investigations involving allegedly anomalous flood control projects, with four cases filed in court.

2028 test

Marcos now wants his successor to carry his anti-graft campaign forward.

But the scandal has generated allegations reaching into his political circle — including accusations against the President himself.