Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains firm in holding those responsible for alleged irregularities in flood control projects accountable, Malaca±ang said Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the President has not lost interest in pursuing charges against individuals involved in the controversy. Castro mentioned that Marcos is still reviewing the report of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), emphasizing that the document is extensive.
'Sa ngayon po ay hindi pa po tayo nabibigyan ng update kung natapos na pong mabasa dahil sa ating pagkakaalam ay medyo mahaba-haba po ang report ng ICI (As of now, we have not been given an update on whether the President has completed reading the report, as we understand it is quite lengthy),' she said.
Castro also countered claims that the Palace has shifted its focus away from filing cases related to the flood control issue. She asserted, 'On our part, on the part of the President, that's not true. Hindi po nawawalan ng interes ang Pangulo sa pagpapanagot kung sinuman ang dapat na managot (The President is not losing interest in holding accountable whoever should be held accountable).'
Castro emphasized that while Marcos is concentrating on improving the economy, he remains committed to seeking accountability for the flood control mess. She elaborated that Marcos needs to redirect his attention amid the commotion generated after he ordered a review of allegedly anomalous flood control projects and potential misuse of funds.
'Talaga pong nagkaroon ng ingay at ini-expect naman po ng Pangulo iyan. Dahil kung galit po ang mga Pilipino sa korapsiyon, lalo pong mas galit ang ating Pangulo. At kailangan lang pong tutukan, move forward (The President expected that. If Filipinos are angry with corruption, the President is even angrier. But he also needs to focus and move forward),' Castro said.
She concluded by saying, 'Ang sabi nga ng Pangulo, siya po ay tututok sa ekonomiya para naman po sa iba pa nating mga kababayan na hindi naman puro pulitika lang ang pinag-iisipan (As the President said, he will concentrate on the economy for the sake of our fellow citizens who are not focused solely on politics).'
