Statement of Malacañang amid Plunder Charges being Prepared vs. Romualdez, Escudero
Malacañang spoke on the Marcos Jr. administration amid the investigation on the flood control issue in the Philippines and the filing of charges.
Several members of the House of Representatives and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were tagged in the flood control mess. Amid the issue, several senators and former lawmakers in the Senate are also accused of alleged flood control corruption.
The flood issue in the Philippines triggered the “Trillion Peso March” which gathered thousands of Filipinos in the streets twice to protest against corruption. It made a record for allegedly not just involving millions but billions.
Amid the country currently suffering from high fuel prices, Malacañang claimed that the Marcos Jr. admin is not sleeping on the flood control issue. Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro previously stressed that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have already submitted the report from their investigation.
“Hoy gising… nagsumite na po ang ICI ng report sa Ombudsman at DOJ. Wala pong natutulog sa pag-imbestiga sa flood control projects,” Castro expressed
Amid the flood control issue, the ICI was created under the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. It’s a three-member body that investigated the flood control issue and invited several congressmen, senators, and contractors to its investigation.
The ICI’s operation stopped in March. The Palace assured that the flood control investigation continues despite it. Here are the “achievements” cited by the commission in its 125-day flood control report:
- Nine referrals, covering 65 implicated individuals, submitted to the Ombudsman, one of which was made with the Department of Public Works and Highways
- 66 individuals referred to the Department of Justice for the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBOs)
- 32 hearings covering 36 witnesses, including 20 legislators and five agency heads
- 16 site inspections nationwide
- 1,173 documents processed
- 6,692 bank accounts of implicated individuals frozen or subjected to freeze orders
- P24.7 billion worth of assets seized, preserved, frozen or surrendered, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council. This includes 229 vehicles, 394 insurance policies, 161 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts and 10 air assets
- Eight inter-agency coordination meetings conducted and six legislative sessions attended
- Three hearings livestreamed
Recently, Ombudsman Boying Remulla claimed that plunder charges are being prepared against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero over alleged “conspiracy”. Malacañang spoke on the Marcos Jr. admin amid the ongoing flood control investigation.
Based on News5, Malacañang press officer Usec. Claire Castro stressed that flood control charges will be based on evidence and due process. She reiterated that Pres. Bongbong Marcos remains firm in holding the flood control culprits accountable as he was the one who revealed the issue.
“Ang minadaliang pagsasampa ng kaso ng walang basehan o may pagpaplanta ng ebidensya ay hindi gawain ng administrasyon na ito,” the Palace official said.
Atty. Claire Castro stressed that every flood control case is being studied. Based on the post, they are not just like what others are allegedly doing to just be able to speak without helping in solving the problem.
“Ang pagsasampa ng kaso ay inaaral, binubusisi, at hindi pang-media lang katulad ng ginagawa ng ilang nag-iingay lang ngunit hindi naman nakakatulong sa pag-iimbestiga at pagpapanagot sa may mga sala,” Castro expressed.
Previouslyl, amid the flood control issue, Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco claimed that he is ‘1-million percent sure’ that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will allegedly be the one to hold the flood control culprits accountable if she wins the presidency in the 2028 Elections.
