MANILA — Malacañang on Wednesday pushed back against claims of a slowdown in the investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, stressing that the probe has entered a more intensive phase as authorities process a surge of recommended cases for prosecution.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Marcos administration remains firm in its anti-corruption campaign, emphasizing that accountability efforts continue despite perceptions of inaction.
“Iyan naman po talaga ang nais ng Pangulo. Ang administrasyon ngayon ay lumalaban sa korapsyon,” Castro said during a briefing.
She dismissed allegations that the issue is being neglected.
“Sa mga nagsasabi nang ganyan, hoy, gising! Wala pong natutulog pagdating sa pag-iimbestiga sa flood control projects,” she said.
Castro explained that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), established in September last year, has already completed its fact-finding mandate and submitted its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for case buildup and prosecution.
She noted that the commission’s work concluded under the “sunset clause” of Executive Order No. 94, shifting responsibility to prosecutorial bodies.
“Lahat po ng kanilang na-irekomenda, nasa kamay na po iyan ng DOJ at ng Ombudsman,” she said.
According to Castro, the volume of cases endorsed by the ICI has placed pressure on both agencies, underscoring the scale of the investigation rather than any slowdown.
“Sa totoo lamang po, mukhang overwhelmed po ang Ombudsman at ang DOJ sa dami … ng mga kasong pinaparekomendang sampahan,” Castro said.
She assured the public that investigations will proceed based on evidence, regardless of the individuals involved.
“Kahit sino pa iyan kung mayroong kinalaman, ebidensiya ang magiging basehan,” she said.
The Palace reiterated that accountability will be enforced once sufficient evidence is established, as authorities continue to sift through cases tied to alleged flood control anomalies./PN
