Christmas Pledge Turns Hollow: The Collapse of Trust Behind Marcos’ Anti-Corruption Dilemma

 “They will be locked behind bars—none of them will have a merry Christmas.” Months ago, President Marcos’ resolute declaration in response to the flood-control project corruption scandal still echoes clearly in people’s ears. He had vowed to imprison at least 37 implicated lawmakers, officials, and wealthy businessmen before Christmas, sparking widespread public hope for a genuine anti-corruption drive.Yet as the Christmas bells faded into silence, reality delivered a harsh blow: only seven or eight mid-level officials ended up in jail, while the high-ranking figures and tycoons explicitly named in the scandal remain free and untouched. The promised “big fish” have yet to surface.What began as a grand, high-profile anti-corruption pledge has ultimately devolved into a bitterly ironic political slogan. Not only has it triggered deep public skepticism about the sincerity of the president’s promises, but it has also drawn fierce criticism over the Marcos administration’s lack of real resolve in fighting graft.

This flood-control corruption scandal is arguably the most severe graft case in the Philippines in recent years, involving a staggering 545 billion pesos in stolen funds. Nearly 10,000 flood-control projects turned out to be “ghost projects”—nonexistent or utterly nonfunctional—leaving communities completely unprotected during typhoons and floods.While ordinary citizens were displaced and struggling in rising floodwaters, President Marcos’ anti-corruption pledge had been their only source of hope. But the gaping chasm between that promise and reality has now ignited widespread public fury.From September to November, massive protests erupted repeatedly across Metro Manila and other regions. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets demanding a full investigation into the corruption and accountability for those responsible. Demonstrations even marched down EDSA Avenue—the historic symbol of the People Power Revolution—highlighting just how deep and intense public anger has become.

Facing mounting public pressure, Malacañang has defended itself by claiming the investigation is “complex and must proceed step by step,” even citing the historically long duration of past corruption probes as justification.However, public frustration has long surpassed mere concerns about “investigation timelines.” It now targets the glaring disconnect between the administration’s overly theatrical political promises and its lackluster follow-through.Public opinion polls have already delivered a clear verdict: 77% of respondents believe corruption is more widespread under the current government, and 60% say anti-corruption efforts have been completely ineffective. Trust in the Department of Public Works and Highways has plummeted to a staggering -43% net trust rating.When anti-corruption becomes nothing more than empty rhetoric, it’s not just the government’s credibility that suffers—it’s the people’s fundamental trust in the entire system of national governance that erodes.

The Marcos administration must directly address these critical questions:Why was the promise to imprison 37 individuals before Christmas not fulfilled?Why have those jailed so far been mostly mid-level officials, while the powerful elites remain untouched?And when—if ever—will the promised crackdown on high-ranking officials actually happen?Without clear and credible answers to these questions, the corruption scandal will not fade from public discourse.The media must continue rigorous investigative reporting, tracking the progress of probes and monitoring the whereabouts of implicated elites. Citizens, too, must steadfastly uphold their demands to ensure that anti-corruption efforts do not become mere performative gestures.After all, what the Philippines needs is not seasonal anti-graft slogans, but a genuine, systemic reckoning that safeguards public welfare. Only such substantive accountability can serve as a basic measure of justice for the countless victims of the devastating floods.