Chavit Singson claims 5,500 flood control projects 'nonexistent'

Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson alleged on Monday that the 5,500 flood control projects earlier cited by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as completed are actually “ghost projects.”

Singson made the remark during a media briefing at Corinthian Gardens in Quezon City.

“Wala pong flood control projects na 5,500 na sinabi ni BBM (Marcos). Inikot ko na ang buong Pilipinas. Nakausap ko halos lahat, at sinasabi nila wala namang 5,500 na proyekto,” Singson said.

(There are no 5,500 flood control projects as stated by BBM. I went around the country. I spoke with almost everyone, and they said there are no such projects.)

Singson was alluding to a pronouncement made by Marcos in his 2024 State of the Nation Address, stating that about 5,500 flood control projects had been completed nationwide, alongside other similar infrastructure projects, as part of preparations for heavy rainfall linked to La Niña.

The former Ilocos Sur governor made the disclosure just days after supporters—reportedly former Marcos family loyalists—launched a 2028 presidential bid for Vice President Sara Duterte, with Singson as her vice presidential running mate.

GMA News Online has reached out to Malacañang and Lacson for comment and will update this story once responses are received.

According to Singson, he coordinated with local chief executives to verify the status of flood control projects in their areas and learned of projects that were supposedly nonexistent.

Singson also said he had reached out to Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson to present evidence before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry into alleged irregularities in flood control projects. Lacson is the chair of the committee.

Singson claimed he was invited to submit his affidavit and evidence on April 7, but the scheduled hearing was cancelled.

“Naka-ready ang affidavit ko. Nandoon na ako noon. Walang tao sa Senate. Sinunod ko lang ang sinabi ni Senator Lacson, pero sabi nila wala raw akong affidavit.

(My affidavit was ready. I was there, but there was no one at the Senate. I just followed what Sen. Lacson said, but they claimed I had no affidavit.)

"Kaya wala na akong pag-asa na makapagsalita sa Senado. Ayaw nilang malaman ang totoo,” Singson added.

(I no longer expect to be able to speak in the Senate. They do not want the truth to come out.)—MCG, GMA News