In a video statement released Monday evening, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson launched a blistering attack on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., calling for his resignation and urging Filipinos to rise against what he described as the biggest corruption scandal in Philippine history.
Singson, a veteran political figure who has served under eight Philippine presidents, delivered an impassioned 15-minute address directly challenging the administration’s handling of the government’s flood control program and demanding accountability at the highest levels of power.
Speaking as “a Filipino who has dedicated his life to public service,” Singson painted a damning picture of systemic corruption within the Marcos administration’s flood control initiatives. He underscored the stark reality: despite the government’s ₱500-billion investment in flood control and more than 9,800 completed projects, flooding has only worsened under the current administration.
“This flood control scandal is the biggest corruption scheme I’ve witnessed in my entire life,” Singson declared, attributing the crisis to a lack of coordination, poor flood mapping studies, and, most critically, dishonesty at the top.
He laid the responsibility squarely on the President, explaining that the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is reviewed and approved by the President before reaching Congress; the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) releases funds with presidential authority; and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) executes projects under the President’s direction.
Singson’s statement directly questioned the relationship between President Marcos and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who heads the Cabinet cluster on disaster preparedness and infrastructure.
He noted that when Congress inserted ₱450 billion in public funds into the budget and Marcos vetoed only ₱29 billion, it meant that ₱421 billion in infrastructure spending had received the President’s explicit approval.
“So, tell me, how can anyone say ‘I don’t know’? How can he say ‘You should be ashamed of yourself’? Perhaps it is you who should be ashamed, Mr. President,” Singson said, turning the President’s own words back on him.
He accused Marcos of blame-shifting, describing it as the mark of “a weak leader.” Singson contrasted the administration’s Build Better program with what he called “Build More, Waste More.”
In one of the statement’s most pointed moments, Singson challenged the President to investigate corruption within his own home province of Ilocos Norte.
He questioned why the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has not scrutinized billions in flood control contracts allegedly awarded to the Dizcaya family, favored contractors of the President, and to the newly elected mayor of Laoag City.
Singson cited ₱4 billion funneled to the Laoag mayor and ₱2.7 billion to the Dizcayas—paid in advance—as “the clearest example of corruption hiding under political protection.”
“If he is doing this in his own province, then there is no doubt he is doing this to the rest of the country,” Singson said, urging Marcos to prove his integrity by ordering investigations in Ilocos Norte first.
Singson also addressed what he described as politically motivated attacks against him, including a plunder case filed by attorney Estelita “Tilly” Cordero. He dismissed the complaint as a “political weapon” meant to silence him for speaking out, noting that Cordero—who has been suspended by the Supreme Court—is the cousin of a mayor Singson once defeated in Narvacan.
He countered with allegations of ghost farmers, misused funds, and a decade of inaction by the Ombudsman regarding corruption in Narvacan, accusing his political opponents of hypocrisy.
At the heart of Singson’s message was a direct appeal to the Filipino people to demand truth and accountability.
He urged farmers and workers to speak out, students to lead peaceful but powerful movements, and politicians to set aside ambition in favor of national honor. He also reminded members of the police and military that their oath is to protect the Republic and its people, not any single leader.
Citing the Constitution, Singson emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is “the protector of the people and the state,” and that public demonstrations are a constitutional right, not an act of rebellion.
“We are told that Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. will redeem the Marcos corruption curse on the Filipinos,” Singson said. “But look around—his government agencies are flooding with corruption.”
He challenged Filipinos to break the cycle of blind loyalty to political dynasties: “How many times must we let the same family treat our country like their personal piggy bank?”
Singson concluded by saying that resignation would not be an act of humiliation, but rather “an act of dignity—a rare moment of courage that could still restore trust in our institutions.”
His final words were a grim reminder of what’s at stake: “Every peso diverted and every project that doesn’t exist is not just a waste—it’s a loss of life, a loss of security, a loss of dignity.”
