Two Senior Philippine Officials Step Down as Flood Control Scandal Sparks Massive Public Outcry
Two of the most influential members of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s cabinet have stepped down from their posts amid growing public anger, corruption accusations and expanding pressure on the administration over the controversial flood control programme. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman tendered their resignations late on Monday, marking a significant development in a scandal that has rapidly escalated into a national political crisis.
Their departures followed allegations made by Zaldy Co, a fugitive former lawmaker who was once considered a close ally of the Marcos family. Co recently appeared in online broadcasts accusing several senior government officials of wrongdoing linked to the multibillion peso flood control projects. His claims have fuelled widespread speculation and deepened public mistrust, even as the administration maintains that investigations are still ongoing.
The political tension has intensified alongside massive street demonstrations that erupted over the weekend. A rally led by the Iglesia ni Kristo religious group began on Sunday at Manila’s Luneta area and expanded significantly by Monday evening. The Manila Police District estimated that around six hundred thousand people had gathered, turning the capital’s historic park into a focal point for public frustration. Demonstrators carried placards calling for accountability and transparency, while several religious leaders urged the government to take decisive action to restore public confidence.
Iglesia ni Kristo later announced that it would halt the protests earlier than planned, saying that the participants were already exhausted after long hours of standing under the heat and heavy crowds. Despite the early end to the demonstration, the scale of the turnout sent a strong message about the level of public concern surrounding the corruption accusations.
The resignations of Bersamin and Pangandaman add significant weight to the controversy. Bersamin, who held one of the most powerful posts in the administration as Executive Secretary, was widely seen as a key adviser to the president. Pangandaman, who served as Budget Secretary, played a central role in government spending decisions and was closely linked to national infrastructure planning. Their exits raise questions about internal stability within the administration and could have implications for upcoming fiscal policies and ongoing development projects.
Political analysts note that the growing scandal may test the resilience of the Marcos administration as it faces mounting calls for reforms and greater accountability. The government has not yet named replacements for the two cabinet members, and officials have promised that investigations into the flood control programme will proceed without interference.
