Malacañang on Tuesday stressed that any charges linked to the alleged flood control anomalies must be anchored on evidence and due process, amid reports that plunder complaints may be filed against former top lawmakers.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Marcos administration remains firm in its stance to hold accountable those involved, but rejected rushed or media-driven case filings.
“Alam naman natin na ang Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang nanguna na magpaimbestiga sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects at nais niyang managot ang dapat na managot. Ebidensya ang panghahawakan at due process ang kailangan (We know that President Marcos Jr. was the one who started the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects, and he wants those behind it to be held accountable. Evidence is the key, and due process is what is needed),” Castro said.
“Ang manadaliang pagsasampa ng kaso ng walang basehan o may pagpaplanta ng ebidensya ay hindi gawain ng administrasyon na ito (Hastily filing of cases without basis or planting evidence is not the job of this administration),” she added.
The statement came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office is preparing plunder charges against former House speaker Martin Romualdez, who is also the President’s cousin, and former Senate president Francis “Chiz” Escudero over alleged irregularities tied to the flood control controversy.
Castro cautioned against politicizing the issue, saying some parties are merely creating noise without contributing to the investigation.
“Ang pagsasampa ng kaso ay inaaaral, 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 (The filing of a case is being studied, scrutinized, and not just a media thing as some people do, who just make noise but don’t help in investigating and holding those responsible accountable),” she said.
Remulla said the cases, which may include conspiracy, could be filed as early as May, as investigators continue to consolidate evidence involving several lawmakers and officials. (PNA)