QUEZON CITY — In a televised statement, Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Spokesperson Bro. Edwil Zabala raised the alarm over the government's handling of the ₱1 trillion flood control scandal. The Church pointed to a troubling trend where individuals coming forward with evidence are reportedly being targeted by the legal system, while the actual masterminds remain at large.

Bro. Zabala reminded the administration that the public has been waiting for accountability since the massive “Rally for Transparency, Accountability, Justice and Peace” held on November 16–17, 2025.

“Since the Iglesia Ni Cristo conducted the ‘Rally for Transparency, Accountability, Justice and Peace’ on November 16–17, 2025, we have continued to wait for how the government will address the widespread corruption that took place in our country. More than three months have passed, yet the people still see no resolution to the enormous plunder of public funds.

The spokesperson emphasized that the pressure being placed on informants is a major obstacle to tracing the missing ₱1 trillion allocated for public works.

“Instead of searching for and prosecuting the culprits, those who are providing information and testifying against them are the ones being charged and pressured. As a result, until now, the reported more than one trillion pesos allocated for flood control projects and other public works has still not been traced. What those who are supposed to investigate appear to be looking for are events that may be used to divert this problem to other issues.”

The INC’s statement specifically highlighted the recent emergence of whistleblowers—including a group of 18 former Philippine Marines presented by lawyer Levito Baligod. These witnesses claim that between 2023 and 2025, they physically transported suitcases containing roughly ₱48 million each, totaling an estimated ₱805 billion, allegedly sourced from flood control kickbacks.

The INC spokesperson questioned why the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson, has not taken more decisive action following these revelations.

“Filipinos are waiting for the statement of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman: 'We will go where the evidence leads us.' Now that statements are emerging from those involved—including allegations of suitcases filled with money—and just recently, former soldiers have confirmed and admitted that they were the ones who delivered these. Why does there seem to be no clear step to expand and conclude the investigation. What more evidence is being awaited to seriously track down the masterminds of this corruption?”

The statement also addressed the government's claim that the appearance of whistleblowers is part of a "destabilization plot," arguing that such a serious allegation should lead to a more thorough probe into the corruption itself.

"There are also claims that the appearance of the former soldiers is part of a destabilization plot. If that is the allegation, should this not be investigated even more thoroughly, since destabilization against the government is a serious matter of national security? Moreover, a large portion of the testimony given by the former soldiers is directly related to the alleged plunder of public funds."

Bro. Zabala concluded by stating that the nation continues to wait attentively, along with millions of Filipinos around the world and the international media.

“It is wrong to think that Filipinos have already forgotten this issue, because the funds being discussed come from the taxes and sweat of the citizens. Our call remains clear: Expose the whole truth. Hold accountable those who must be held responsible, and let justice prevail in order to restore the people’s trust and uphold genuine and lasting peace and progress in the Philippines.”

Posted by: AAngeles/NET25 News