JANUARY 14, 2026 — ₱1 billion. Read that again. One. Billion. Pesos. It’s staggering, isn’t it? In a country where millions struggle for decent housing, jobs, or basic services, some people can casually throw around this kind of money — not for the public good, but to silence an investigation into a flood control scam.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla himself revealed the shocking attempt. 

“Merong lumapit sa akin through an intermediary, nag-offer sa aming mag-kapatid ng ₱1 billion para matapos ang kaso nila,” he said. 

(Someone approached me through an intermediary, offering my brother and I ₱1 billion to end their case.) 

Jonvic’s brother is Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, the country’s chief graft-buster tasked with investigating corruption cases.

His response? “Sabi namin, ‘Hindi pwede. No deal.’” 

(We said, ‘No way. No deal.’)

This isn’t just about one bribery attempt. It’s about the scale of corruption we’re facing. Imagine: one suspect, one client, willing to throw away ₱1 billion just to escape indictment. If they can afford to offer that, how much did they earn from projects meant to protect communities from floods?

So far, 26 individuals have been charged — 16 linked to a ₱289.5-million project in Occidental Mindoro, and 10 tied to a ₱96.5-million project in Davao Occidental. Big names are involved, including former House Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co, who remains at large.

The Remullas say they refused the offer and even informed President Marcos Jr. immediately. Good. But the bigger question is: How many other officials, past or present, have been tempted — or worse, have accepted — similar offers?

This story should jolt us awake. It’s not gossip or just another headline. It’s a mirror showing how deep corruption runs, and how casually billions can be dangled to bury accountability.

₱1 billion to bury the truth? That’s not just staggering — it’s a slap in the face of every Filipino taxpayer who dreams of honest governance.

Doesn’t it make you wonder — if ₱1 billion can be casually offered just to bury the truth, how deep could their pockets really go?

(Image: Philippine News Agency)