VP Sara Duterte likens Marcos admin's flood control probe to zarzuela

Vice President Sara Duterte has likened the government’s investigation into ghost and anomalous flood control projects to zarzuela, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can address the issue within a day if he wanted to.

“Magdududa ka kung bakit bigla ngayon ay merong silang palabas ng malaking investigation ng flood control projects. Ibig sabihin meron na naman siguro silang niluluto na behind the scenes na, syempre, hindi natin nakikita dahil lahat tayo nakatutok doon sa flood control,” she said in an interview at The Netherlands.

(You will doubt why suddenly now they are staging a big investigation into flood control projects. It means they are probably cooking up something behind the scenes again that, of course, we cannot see because all of us are focused on flood control.)

“Kung seryoso lang talaga ang Presidente, tapos na 'yan isang araw lang, matuturo niya lahat ng may kagagawan ng corruption sa budget. Pero, well, as you can see, para ngang nanonood tayo ng zarzuela,” she added. 

(If the President is really serious, that would be over in just one day, he could identify everyone responsible for the corruption in the budget. But, well, as you can see, it’s as if we’re watching a zarzuela.)

GMA News Online has asked Malacañang for comment and will publish its response once available.

The government is investigating alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vow in his last State of the Nation Address to ensure that those involved in anomalous contracts would be held accountable. 

For the Vice President, however, the investigation is “too little, too late.”

She said issues on flood control corruption already existed before her father’s term as president, even as far back as her time as Davao mayor. However, she said that the issue has “worsened” today.

Marcos has said that he will issue an Executive Order which will formally create the Independent Commission that will look into the anomalies.

He has expressed openness to listening to “sensible” suggestions from the Dutertes in addressing the anomalous flood control projects.

Meanwhile, Duterte said her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was “still alive,” adding that she is not allowed to disclose too much information.

The former president is at The Hague, Netherlands to face charges for his crimes against humanity case over the drug war.

Based on government records, around 6,200 drug suspects were killed during the Duterte administration's anti-drug operations. Human rights organizations, however, say that the number may reach 30,000 due to the unreported related slays.

His confirmation of charges will take place on September 23, 2025. —Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News