EDITORIAL — Corruption and joblessnessThe unemployment rate went up to 4.2 percent in 2025 from 3.8 percent in the previous year, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported yesterday. National Statistician Dennis Mapa attributed the higher unemployment rate to the slowdown in public construction projects due to the corruption scandal that continues to hound flood control and other state infrastructure projects. Business groups and analysts have given similar assessments on the impact of the corruption scandal on the construction sector and downstream economic enterprises. With these in mind, the government is resuming public works projects, including flood control interventions. Investigations have shown that the anomalies in DPWH projects have been going on for a long time.

Source: Philippine Star February 06, 2026 16:39 UTC