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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
February 4, 2026 | 7:00am
Workers of a new subcontractor of a flood control structure in Barangay Sipat in Plaridel, Bulacan, lay cement and steels on September 6, 2025 amidst the downpour of rain.
The Philippine STAR / Michael Varcas
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing the blacklisting of up to 60 contractors following massive infrastructure corruption within the agency.
In 2025, the government was rocked by what is considered the largest corruption scandal of the administration. Billions of pesos were allegedly stolen through a systemic kickback scheme involving officials, lawmakers, and contractors, with public funds reportedly funneled into bogus flood control projects.
In a bid to clean its ranks, the DPWH is moving to ban some of these contractors.
“According to the DPWH, more than 60 contractors may be blacklisted,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino.
The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board is also in the process of blacklisting 16 contractors involved in the flood control scandal. So far, at least four other contractors have had their licenses revoked.
Despite this, the Palace assured the public that the country’s infrastructure development will continue.
This effort to remove crooked contractors will open the door to honest ones, Castro said.
“Hindi po kailangang matakot ang mga contractor at ang mga nasa industriya na makipagnegosasyon at makipag-transact sa gobyerno dahil ang pangako po ng pangulo, babayaran po ang lahat ng mga contractor na maayos magtrabaho,” Castro said.
(There is no need for contractors and industry players to fret because the president promised to pay all contractors who do their work properly.)
