Flood funds embezzlement leaves Filipinos at mercy of climate crisis

FRANCE24
Issued on: 13/10/2025 -

05:46 min
From the show

It’s one of the biggest corruption scandals the Philippines has seen since the final years of dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The government has admitted that 70 percent of the funds allocated for flood control measures have been embezzled since 2023, including a staggering eight billion euros in 2025 alone. Chloe Borgnon, Constantin Simon, Justin McCurry, and Aruna Popuri report from Manila Bay.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who assumed the presidency in 2022, was confronted with an uncomfortable truth during a recent visit to the site of a flood barrier that had never been built. Shortly after, he admitted that funds for most of the 10,000 planned flood prevention projects had been embezzled by corrupt officials. The revelation sparked massive protests and clashes between demonstrators and police, with the army being deployed in September to restore order. The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to rising sea levels.
By:

Constantin SIMON

Aruna POPURI

Justin McCURRY

Chloé BORGNON