Isko Exposes Benny Abante for Flood-Control Failure Despite District's ₱2B Budget

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has called for accountability over billions of pesos allocated for flood-control projects in the capital, questioning why Manila still experiences flooding despite more than ₱14 billion worth of projects listed from 2022 to 2025. In a livestream in August 2025, Moreno cited flood-control allocations across Manila’s six districts, including ₱2 billion for the 6th District represented by Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., a known ally of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. He questioned why communities continue to flood despite years of government spending, saying Manila residents should not bear the consequences of failed projects. Abante was among the lawmakers identified by former Marines during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in June as an alleged recipient of “maletas” or cash deliveries linked to the flood-control corruption scandal. The issue has gained renewed attention as the Office of the Ombudsman presses ahead with its flood-control corruption probe involving Romualdez while flooding continues to affect parts of the country, including Manila. Romualdez is facing a preliminary investigation after a special Ombudsman panel filed a 104-page supplemental complaint against him, Zaldy Co and other respondents over ill-gotten wealth amounting to around ₱56 billion. Investigators are looking into possible plunder, graft, bribery and money laundering charges, with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla describing the case against Romualdez as the “grandest case of them all.” Moreno also questioned infrastructure projects in Manila that allegedly proceeded without local permits and required regulatory payments, pointing out that ordinary citizens are expected to follow government rules while some major contractors appear to receive different treatment. The mayor said the city will continue examining contractors and projects linked to possible violations, emphasizing that accountability should come before politics.