For subscribers

News analysis

Marcos at his weakest in his presidency, as he fights fires amid flood-control scandal

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr speaks during a press conference at Malacanang Palace in Manila on November 13, 2025.

A flood-control corruption scandal has plunged the Marcos presidency into a political crisis, fuelled by familiar rivals and family dissent.

PHOTO: AFP

Follow topic:
  • President Marcos' promise to put corrupt officials in jail is overshadowed by criticism from Duterte ally turned foe, resulting in political instability.
  • Fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co accuses Mr Marcos of flood-control kickbacks, exacerbating the scandal and fuelling calls for resignation.
  • Economic challenges and family dissent have worsened Mr Marcos' position, with analysts suggesting impeachment is no longer an impossibility.

AI generated

When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr vowed on Nov 13 that those involved in the Philippines’

massive flood-control corruption scandal

would spend their Christmas in jail, the message was meant to project control.

But the promise landed at a moment when forces aligned with his ally-turned-foe, Vice-President Sara Duterte – including the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) religious group – were already sharpening their criticism of the administration.

See more on