Marcos supports anti-corruption movement, says Palace

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Marcos supports the expression of public grievances, Castro said, describing it as “a fight against corruption.” (PCO file photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. respects the people’s right to freedom of expression and supports any movement to fight corruption, Malacañang said on Saturday.

“The President will always respect this freedom of expression. So, kung anuman po ang nararamdaman na sentimyento ng ating mga kababayan sa ngayon, iyan po ay ginagalang ng Pangulo (Whatever sentiments our countrymen are feeling right now, the President respects that),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro issued the statement following an anticipated mass protest, which seeks to condemn the reported corruption in flood control projects.

Marcos supports the expression of public grievances, Castro said, describing it as “a fight against corruption.”

“Ang dasal lamang po natin, itong kanilang pagsisentimyento ay huwag sanang sakyan ng ibang mga tao na hindi maganda ang naisin para sa gobyerno, kundi mag-destabilize (We only pray that their sentiments would not be taken advantage of by people with ill intentions toward the government who aim to destabilize it),” Castro said.

The Church Leaders Council for National Transformation on Friday advised Filipinos joining the protest dubbed “A Trillion Peso March” to wear white shirts “as a symbol of unity and hope.”

Marcos has formed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), an independent fact-finding body to investigate alleged irregularities in government flood control and other infrastructure projects.

The ICI is tasked to prioritize the investigation of flood mitigation projects implemented in the past 10 years.