Camille Naredo

Students from different universities under the alliance “ONE Taft” walk out of their classes and march to Mendiola, Manila, on Friday, October 17, 2025, as part of the National Day of Walkout to protest the government’s continued inaction on corruption. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Students from different universities under the alliance “ONE Taft” walk out of their classes and march to Mendiola, Manila, on Friday, October 17, 2025, as part of the National Day of Walkout to protest the government’s continued inaction on corruption. The protesters called for accountability two months after the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal broke, as no officials have yet been held responsible.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

GHOST FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS

Dennis Gasgonia

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176088621464520251017-day-of-walk-out-vs-corruption-MT11.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Students from different universities under the alliance “ONE Taft” walk out of their classes and march to Mendiola, Manila, on Friday, October 17, 2025, as part of the National Day of Walkout to protest the government’s continued inaction on corruption. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/>Students from different universities under the alliance “ONE Taft” walk out of their classes and march to Mendiola, Manila, on Friday, October 17, 2025, as part of the National Day of Walkout to protest the government’s continued inaction on corruption. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- An assembly of large business groups on Sunday made an appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take decisive action against what they labelled as “historic, massive and unprecedented corruption” in infrastructure projects.The group, which includes the Makati Business Club, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Employers&#x27; Confederation of the Philippines, co-signed a resolution urgently calling on the administration &quot;to address, without delay, the historic, massive, and unprecedented corruption scandal crippling our flood control and infrastructure projects.&quot;&quot;We have contributed to national funds through taxes locally and nationally and have paid additional assessment of taxes... Yet, trillions of pesos supplied and intended to protect our communities from disasters have been squandered through ghost projects, substandard work, and inflated contracts,&quot; they said in a statement.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/17/ici-admits-long-way-to-go-before-culprits-in-flood-control-scam-are-jailed-1601">ICI admits long way to go before culprits in flood control scam are jailed </a> </div>The group said the rampant corruption is more than financial loss, but a &quot;fatal breach of public trust&quot; that leaves the public vulnerable and outraged.In the resolution, the group suggested the administration to take the following actions:-- Empower the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) with full legal authority and independence to conduct a swift, comprehensive investigation, free from political influence. -- Prosecute all those responsible, impartially and without regard of rank, position, political affiliation o1 personal relations. -- Implement institutional reforms, ensure restitution of ill gotten wealth and embezzled funds of the government, and strengthen procurement and oversight systems, preventing future abuse. -- Provide regular public updates on the progress of investigations and reforms and to publicly disclose all audit findings to demonstrate genuine commitment and credibility.&quot;Mr. President, we strongly urge you to act decisively to signal your administration&#x27;s genuine commitment to justice, integrity, and accountable governance,&quot; said the assembly.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/18/romualdez-wants-hearing-postponed-for-medical-procedure-ici-1012">Romualdez wants hearing postponed for &#x27;medical procedure&#x27; — ICI</a></div>Among those who joined the call are the:1. Association of Abaca Pulp Manufacturers of the Philippines 2. Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry 3. Association of International Shipping Lines, Inc. 4. Association of Petrochemical Manufacturers of the Philippines 5. Capital Markets Development Foundation, Inc. 6. Employers&#x27; Confederation of the Philippines 7. Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industrv, Inc. 8. Federation of Philippine Industries 9. Financial- Institute Executives of the Philippines 10. FinTech Alliance.Ph 11. Fintech Philippines Association 12. Good Governance Advocates of the Philippines 13. Institute of Corporate Directors 14. International Chamber of Commerce-Philippines 15. IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines16. Justice Reform Initiative17.  Makati Business Club 18. Management Association of the Philippines 19. Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors 20. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry 21. Philippine Exporters Confederation 22. Philippine Food Exporters Confederation 23. Philippine Franchise Association 24. Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. 25. Philippine Plastics Industry Association 26. Philippine Retailers Association 27. Philippine Steelmakers Association 28. Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Associaition 29. Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mg Industriyang Kimika 30. Supply Chain Management of the Philippines 31. Tax Management Association of the Philippines 32. Women&#x27;s Business Council Philippines 33. Filipina CEO Circle 34. Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines

An assembly of large business groups made an appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take decisive action against what they labelled as “historic, massive and unprecedented corruption” in infrastructure projects.

An assembly of large business groups made an appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take decisive action against what they labelled as “historic, massive and unprecedented corruption” in infrastructure projects.

Business groups call on Marcos to take 'swift, decisive action' vs 'unprecedented corruption'

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Business groups call on Marcos to take 'swift, decisive action' vs 'unprecedented corruption'

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 19, 2025 11:18 PM PHT

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Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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