SOLANO, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confirmed on Friday, November 21, that an arrest warrant has been issued for resigned Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co and 17 other individuals implicated in the massive DPWH flood-control corruption scandal, marking what could be one of the most consequential turning points in the administration’s anti-corruption campaign.

In a video message released on his official social media accounts, Marcos said the Ombudsman now holds formal charges based on evidence submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the independent Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI)—the body tasked to investigate long-standing anomalies involving billions in public works funds.

Marcos Announces Arrest Orders: “Aarestuhin na sila”

The President spoke with unusual firmness, declaring that authorities have been instructed to immediately carry out the arrest orders.

“There is no more hesitation in our next steps,” Marcos said, holding up a printed list of names covered by the warrant.

“Aarestuhin na ninyo sila. Ihaharap sa korte at pananagutin sa batas.”

While the full list has yet to be publicly released to the media, the President’s gesture underscored the seriousness with which Malacañang intends to pursue the case. The statement has since become one of the most replayed lines on Philippine social media, fueling intense discussion on accountability, kickbacks, and the future of the Marcos administration.

Marcos added that the public’s patience has not been in vain.

“Ako ang nagsimula netong lahat. Ako ang magtatapos.” he said, making one of his strongest public declarations on government corruption since the scandal broke.

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Ombudsman, DOJ Welcome Arrest Orders Amid Expanding Probe

The Office of the Ombudsman responded within hours, affirming its readiness to enforce the arrest warrants and prosecute the plunder and graft cases associated with the DPWH flood-control kickback scheme.

“To the law enforcement agencies whose responsibility is to effect these arrests—execute the warrants without delay. Ensure their immediate arrest and bring them before the bar of justice,” the Ombudsman said in its official statement.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also signaled willingness to support the operation, noting that the scale of the alleged corruption, running into billions of pesos in suspected kickbacks, requires extensive coordination among agencies.

The DPWH scandal, which began with whistleblower allegations and contractor testimonies, has since expanded into a nationwide controversy implicating high-ranking senators, congressmen, Cabinet officials, and district engineers. It is considered one of the biggest corruption cases to test the Marcos administration’s political will.

DPWH Flood-Control Scandal: Billions in Kickbacks, Dozens of Officials Under Scrutiny

The controversy revolves around alleged kickbacks in flood-control projects, where estimates of financial losses and diverted funds run in the billions of pesos. These include overpriced projects, ghost works, manipulated bidding processes, and involvement of politically connected contractors.

Zaldy Co, once a powerful appropriations chairman in Congress, is among those accused of profiteering from these fraudulent transactions. The scandal intensified after former contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya testified in Senate hearings, naming influential political figures and describing an entrenched system of commissions and “share allocations.”

Co’s resignation earlier this year only heightened public suspicion, especially after he accused Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez of engineering ₱100 billion in budget insertions, a claim the Palace dismissed as “hearsay.” Friday’s arrest warrant announcement now adds another layer of complexity to the political drama.

Political Tensions Rise as Marcos Acts Against Allies and Critics Alike

The arrest orders place Marcos in a politically delicate position. Some of the names tied to the flood-control mess are long-time allies or major players in Congress. The President’s decision to move forward with arrests signals a deliberate attempt to show independence from political alliances and renewed commitment to public accountability.

The anti-corruption narrative also arrives amid rising public pressure, large-scale rallies, and growing skepticism toward government institutions.

Observers say the President’s strong language, particularly his insistence that “the law will take its course”, appears intended to reassure the public of the administration’s seriousness in fighting corruption, even when it involves high-ranking figures.

A Defining Moment for the Marcos Administration

The decision to arrest Zaldy Co and 17 others marks the beginning of what could become one of the Philippines’ most significant corruption crackdowns in recent years. For many Filipinos still recovering from disasters and economic challenges, accountability in flood-control spending is not just a legal matter but a matter of survival and justice.

As the story develops, and as investigations broaden, questions remain about how far the probe will reach, and whether this moment signals a new chapter in the country’s long fight against systemic corruption.

One thing is clear: with the President openly declaring that “I will finish this,” the stakes, for the administration, for the political elite, and for the public, have never been higher.

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