Philippine Ministers Resign Amid Massive Anti-Flood Corruption Scandal

Two high-ranking ministers in Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s cabinet resigned on Tuesday after being implicated in a massive corruption scandal involving billions of pesos earmarked for anti-flooding infrastructure. The resignations mark a deepening political crisis for the government and highlight widespread concerns over accountability in public works projects.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman stepped down following allegations linking their departments to “ghost” infrastructure projects and the diversion of government funds. Presidential palace press officer Claire Castro said the ministers resigned “in recognition of the responsibility to allow the administration to address the matter appropriately,” according to The Philippines Inquirer.

The scandal first surfaced in July when Marcos Jr revealed that billions of pesos intended for flood control had been misused by private contractors, resulting in substandard or incomplete infrastructure. The revelation comes at a critical time for a country that faces frequent typhoons and deadly floods, underscoring the human and economic consequences of corruption in essential public works.

Political analysts say Bersamin and Pangandaman are the highest-ranking officials to be directly implicated since the scandal broke. Aries Arugay, a visiting senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said the resignations are meant to shield President Marcos Jr from immediate political fallout. “At the moment, the palace is trying to take the president out of this,” Arugay told Al Jazeera. “They’re the ones accepting command responsibility over this.”

Despite the resignations, President Marcos Jr still maintains a majority in the legislature, supported by MPs who prefer his leadership over that of Vice President Sara Duterte. However, experts warn that public confidence could shift if further evidence implicates the president or other top officials.

Earlier this week, former legislator Zaldy Co alleged that Marcos instructed him to add $1.7 billion to the national budget for “dubious public works” while chairing an appropriations committee. These claims remain unverified but have fueled protests and intensified scrutiny on the government.

Public outrage has grown steadily, culminating in a massive demonstration on Sunday in Manila, which drew approximately 500,000 people. Activists condemned the theft of funds meant to protect communities from flooding, portraying Marcos Jr and Duterte as symbols of systemic corruption during a Halloween-themed protest.

The Philippines, a nation frequently battered by typhoons and tropical storms, relies heavily on flood mitigation infrastructure to safeguard lives and livelihoods. The ongoing scandal has not only undermined public trust in government institutions but also raised urgent questions about oversight, transparency, and the safety of communities vulnerable to natural disasters.

As investigations continue, authorities are under pressure to hold those responsible accountable while restoring confidence in the nation’s governance. The resignations of Bersamin and Pangandaman signal a critical juncture in the Philippines’ fight against corruption and highlight the need for systemic reforms to prevent similar crises in the future.