By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is open to hearing any possible revelations that fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co may disclose regarding alleged irregularities in government flood control projects, Malacañang said on Friday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government is not making any prejudgment on the guilt or innocence of individuals implicated in the flood control mess, stressing that due process and accountability must be observed.
“Ang Pangulo ang siyang nagsimulang magpaimbestiga ng maanomalyang flood control projects. Siya ang naunang magpaimbestiga ng diumano’y korapsyon (The President was the one who initiated the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects. He was the first to order an inquiry into the alleged corruption),” Castro said in a press briefing in Iloilo City.
“Ang Pangulo ay handang makinig sa lahat ng maaaring sabihin ng mga taong involved at dapat na managot sa batas (The President is willing to listen to everything that those involved may say, and for those who should be held accountable under the law),” she added.
Castro said any information that may shed light on the flood control issue will be welcomed, especially if it helps identify those who must be held accountable.
She stressed that Marcos has issued directives to ensure that individuals linked to the controversy are investigated properly.
Castro said the President has been closely monitoring developments following Co’s arrest in Prague for alleged unauthorized entry.
“Ang dapat na tanong diyan ay kung handa ba si Zaldy Co na magsabi ng katotohanan, kung handa ba siya na sabihin kung sino ba – hindi natin sinasabing guilty – kung sino ba ang kaniyang mga nakasama (The proper question there is whether Zaldy Co is willing to tell the truth, whether he is willing to say who— we are not saying guilty— who his companions were),” she said.
Earlier Thursday, Marcos said the Philippine government continues to coordinate with Czech authorities following Co’s arrest.
Castro said Co’s arrest was welcomed by Marcos, calling it another milestone in the government’s anti-corruption drive.
“Definitely,” Castro said, when asked if Marcos is happy with the latest development.
“Ang utos po niya, managot ang dapat managot. Kung ang isang tao po ay may warrant of arrest, fugitive, cancelled ang passport, sino po ang hindi matutuwa na ang isang taong fugitive sa Pilipinas ay ibabalik sa Pilipinas para managot (His directive is that those who are accountable must be held responsible. If a person has a warrant of arrest, is a fugitive, and has a cancelled passport, who would not be pleased that a fugitive in the Philippines is brought back to face accountability)?” (PNA)
