Iza Aldana
Aug 24, 2026
Former anti-corruption official challenges government narrative as recurring floods disrupt communities
MANILA, Philippines — Former anti-corruption official Greco Belgica has challenged the government’s explanation for the widespread flooding, arguing that officials should look beyond rainfall and confront questions surrounding the country’s flood control policies and projects.
Belgica disputed the notion that the flooding can simply be attributed to the volume of water brought by the typhoon.
According to Belgica, forecasts placed the expected rainfall from the typhoon at around 50 to 100 millimeters, with the highest figure reaching approximately 200 millimeters in parts of Bataan and Zambales. He compared this with what he described as the typical 150 to 300 millimeters of rainfall brought by a typhoon.
For Belgica, the figures raise a bigger question: If the rainfall was not exceptionally high, why did flooding become so severe?
“It’s not true that because there’s a lot of water, that’s why it’s flooding,” Belgica said.
Instead, he pointed directly at flood control policies, saying these should be subjected to greater scrutiny rather than allowing rainfall and climate change to become convenient explanations for recurring floods.
“That’s why it’s flooding, still because of the flood control policies that the politicians are using,” Belgica said, questioning why officials have yet to provide answers on the policies and measures being implemented to address the problem.
He accused authorities of shifting the focus toward water and climate change instead of confronting questions over the effectiveness of flood control measures.
The former anti-corruption official is calling for a deeper examination of the country’s flood control system, including whether existing policies and infrastructure are actually protecting communities—or failing them when they need protection most.
As flooding continues to disrupt communities, displace families and threaten livelihoods, Belgica’s remarks put the spotlight on a politically sensitive question: Are the floods simply a consequence of extreme weather—or is there also a failure in how the country plans, builds and manages its flood control system?
Belgica’s rainfall comparisons and broader claims remain subject to verification against official PAGASA data, flood-control records and engineering assessments.