Vice President Sara Duterte criticized President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s past anti-corruption rhetoric, saying no one has been jailed over alleged irregularities in flood control projects, in remarks posted online after his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27.

In a video uploaded Monday, by content creator Alvin & Tourism, Duterte responded to Marcos’ widely quoted “mahiya naman kayo” (“have some shame”) line from his 2025 SONA, which was directed at officials allegedly involved in corruption.

“Wala naman siya napakulong sa flood control scandal,” Duterte said, asserting that no individuals have been imprisoned in connection with the controversy. She described the line as a “PR stunt” that backfired.

The vice president alleged that issues surrounding flood control projects involve so-called “ghost projects,” as well as unfinished or substandard infrastructure. She further claimed that Marcos could not distance himself from the controversy because he signed the national budget that funded the projects.

“Hindi niya pwedeng ilayo yung sarili niya doon sa corruption sa flood control scandal kasi siya yung pumirma nung budget,” Duterte said, adding that she had raised the issue in an impeachment complaint she filed, which cited alleged irregularities in the transition from the National Expenditure Program to the enacted General Appropriations Act GAA).

Duterte also questioned the administration’s claims of imminent legal action against officials allegedly linked to the controversy, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and some lawmakers.

“Diba yan din yung sinabi niya last year… may makukulong na. So, meron bang nakulong? Wala,” she said.

Malacañang has yet to issue a response to Duterte’s latest remarks.

Marcos, in his previous SONA, said his administration had taken steps to expose corruption and freeze assets tied to anomalous projects, particularly in flood control. He also vowed accountability for those involved.