Big Take Asia Podcast

The Philippines Poured Billions Into Flood Control — Then It Vanished

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, how kickbacks and fake flood-control projects left the Philippines underwater and investors on edge.

Residents navigate through a flooded road in Barangay Frances in Calumpit, Bulacan, the Philippines on Saturday, Dec. 6 2025.Photographer: Geric Cruz/Bloomberg

Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take Asia podcast today.

The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, but this year’s storms exposed something far uglier: a vast corruption scandal.