Marcos wants full evidence before acting on flood control woes

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is gathering complete evidence before taking any action on the flood control projects allegedly plagued by anomalies, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the importance of basing actions on solid evidence.

“Ninanais po niyang makumpleto ang bawat ebidensya. Muli, mahirap magturo lamang nang hindi mapapatunayan. Magsasayang lang po ng oras kaya kinakailangan po ng Pangulo ang masinsinang pag-iimbestiga patungkol dito (He wants to complete all the evidence. Again, it is difficult to point fingers without proof. It would only be a waste of time, which is why the President requires a thorough investigation regarding this matter),” Castro said.

Castro added that the alleged links of the top 15 contractors to senators, including Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong Go, will also be investigated.

She said Marcos will ensure all parties implicated in irregularities concerning the implementation of the flood mitigation projects, regardless of their status, will be held accountable.

“Katulad nang sinabi ni Pangulo, malapit man, kaibigan man, malapit sa kaniyang puso, kung nakakasama sa mga anomalya katulad nito, ito po ay iimbestigahan at pananagutin ang dapat managot (As the President said, whether it is someone close, a friend, or someone close to his heart, if they are involved in anomalies like these, they will be investigated and held accountable),” she said.

Castro also responded to the recent statement by former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, who criticized the current administration for allegedly disregarding the flood control master plans developed during the Aquino administration.

She clarified that incumbent Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan did not receive any master plan from his predecessor, Senator Mark Villar.

“Narinig po natin din iyan. Tinanong din po natin si Secretary Bonoan kung naturn over ang master plan. Wala po siyang natanggap (We have also heard that. We asked Secretary Bonoan if the master plan was turned over. He said he did not receive anything),” Castro said.

Marcos is conducting a series of inspections in areas where flood control projects are allegedly being implemented, including several towns in Bulacan province.

During the site inspections, he expressed dismay over what he described as “ghost projects” and vowed to hold accountable those involved in any irregularities.