In a significant development in the Philippine flood control corruption scandal, prosecutors have filed the first criminal charges against a former congressman, public works officials, and construction firm members. The charges, which include falsification of documents, misuse of public funds, and graft law violations, stem from a substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro province. The scandal, which has sparked public outrage and protests, involves allegations that billions of taxpayer dollars were siphoned off for ghost infrastructure projects. Ombudsman spokesman Mico Clavano emphasized that public funds were intended to protect communities from flooding, not to enrich officials or private contractors. The charges mark the beginning of what is expected to be a series of indictments, with more cases currently under preliminary investigation. The scandal has already led to the resignation of several high-profile figures, including two cabinet members and the House speaker. The controversy has also deepened political tensions, with President Ferdinand Marcos’s sister accusing him of drug use, a claim vehemently denied by his son. The scandal has become a focal point of public anger, with the Iglesia ni Cristo church holding massive rallies to demand accountability.