Marcos furious at rising kickbacks

President Marcos is angered by reports that lawmakers are demanding kickbacks of up to 25 to 30 percent from infrastructure projects.

- ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after embattled contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya compared alleged commission rates across administrations—10 percent under the recent Aquino administration, 12 to 15 percent under former president Rodrigo Duterte, and 25 to 30 percent under the present administration.

In a press briefing, Castro said the kickback figures should not be seen as a point of comparison but as proof of deepening abuse in the system.