By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is not involved and is unaware of the alleged irregularities in the flood control projects, Malacañang said on Friday.
“Opo (Yes),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing, when asked if Marcos is “blameless” in the flood control mess.
Castro emphasized Marcos’ zero involvement, saying he is the first president to launch an extensive investigation into the questionable and non-existent flood mitigation projects.
“Hindi po maglalakas loob ang Pangulo na siya pa mismo ang magpapa-imbestiga kung alam niya sa sarili niya na meron siyang maling ginawa, maliban na lamang sinasabi nga natin kung may gagawa ng kwento para sirain ang pangalan ng Pangulo (The President will not have the courage to order an investigation if he knows himself that he has done something wrong, unless, of course, someone is making up a story to destroy the President’s reputation),” she said.
Pressed on whether Marcos should be held accountable for the flood control controversy, Castro stressed that the President signed the 2025 General Appropriations Act in good faith, relying on his Cabinet’s assurance of the timely completion of flood control projects.
Castro maintained that Marcos would spare no one, including his family and friends, if they were proven to be involved in the anomalous flood control projects.
“Noong nakita niya na mukhang hindi nagkakatotoo at tugma ang mga nirereport sa kaniya, nagpapaimbestiga na siya (When he saw that the reports he was receiving didn’t seem accurate or consistent, he ordered an investigation),” she said.
“Alam ng Pangulo na wala siyang kinalaman sa ganyan kaya siya mismong nagpa-imbestiga. Huwag po nating kakalimutan iyan. Sa kaniya po nagsimula ito (The President knows he has no involvement in such matters, which is why he himself ordered the investigation. Let us not forget that this all started with him),”
Castro also emphasized the importance of substantiating claims regarding the flood control controversy with solid evidence.
This, as she cited lawyer Petchie Rose Espera’s denial of preparing, signing, or notarizing the affidavit of Orly Guteza, who claims to be a former security consultant for Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearing on questionable flood control projects, Guteza presented an affidavit allegedly notarized by Espera, alleging that 46 suitcases full of “basura” – a term used to refer to cold cash – were delivered to Co and Marcos’ cousin, former House Speaker, 1st District Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Castro said Marcos wants all witnesses to present complete evidence and submit it to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), as these could be used if cases are filed in court.
“At dapat ayusin kung anuman ang kanilang mga salaysay at katulad nga nito napabalita rin po na iyong mismong notary publiko ay sinasabing peke dahil hindi raw po niya ito ninotaryuhan. So, kung may mga maliliit na bagay na ikaw ay nakakapagsinungaling paano pa kung mas malaking bagay (Any discrepancies in their testimonies must be addressed. For instance, there have been reports that the notary public involved is allegedly fake because they did not notarize the document. If minor falsehoods exist, how much more with bigger issues)?” she said.
“Pero muli, ang lahat ng ebidensiya kung ito man ay lahat ay makukumpleto iyon po ay tatanggapin at kailangan lamang pong ibigay sa ICI at hindi naman po makikialam ang Pangulo dahil nga po mayroon na po tayong isang (But again, all evidence, if it is complete, will be accepted and must be submitted to the ICI. The President will not interfere because we already have an) independent commission to investigate on this matter,” Castro added. (PNA)
