MANILA — Malacañang has called on the public to temper its criticism of the government’s handling of alleged irregularities in multibillion-peso flood control projects, assuring that concrete actions are underway and due process is being strictly observed.
In a Palace briefing, Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said that the administration is serious about pursuing accountability but stressed that investigations and legal procedures take time.
“Hanggang nandiyan po at may nagtatrabaho at ang intensyon naman po ay maganda para po mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot, hayaan na lang po natin na umandar iyong sistema at ang procedure at huwag po tayong masyadong maging negatibo sa ginagawa ng gobyerno sa ngayon,” Castro said.
She noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), led by Secretary Vince Dizon, has already taken legal steps against individuals allegedly involved in questionable projects.
“Marami po kasing mga kaso. Nakapagsampa na po kahapon si Sec. Vince ng karampatang mga kaso, at hindi po dapat siguro mainip ang ating mga kababayan,” she said.
The Palace official made the remarks amid growing public pressure and demonstrations outside the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) office in Taguig City, where protesters demanded swift action against contractors and officials implicated in the flood control mess.
Castro also addressed criticisms from youth groups questioning why authorities could quickly detain protesters but not alleged high-ranking corrupt officials.
“Unang-una po, alamin po natin kung ang inaaresto po ba ay nahuli na may ginagawang aksyon kasi ito po ay isa sa paraan at isa sa mga ligal na paraan ng kapulisan na sila ay maaaring umaresto, kung caught in the act, gumagawa mismo ng krimen. Kung sila ay gumagawa ng krimen o may basehan na sila ay gumawa ng krimen, maaari po silang maaresto,” she explained.
“Hindi po lisensiya ang pagiging kabataan para po gumawa ng isang krimen, at sasabihin na huwag ninyo kaming hulihin dahil kami ay parte ng kabataan,” she added.
The Palace reiterated that the administration remains committed to curbing corruption in public works projects, but urged citizens to let the legal process unfold before passing judgment./PN
