By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hopes the next administration will continue investigating anomalies in government-funded flood control projects even after his term, Malacañang said Friday.
In a press briefing in Ilocos Norte, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the investigation ordered by Marcos has resulted in the arrest of individuals implicated in the controversy, the freezing of assets, and the return of millions of pesos allegedly obtained as kickbacks.
“Hindi ito nangyari sa dating administrasyon. So, kung anuman po ang maaari pang kontrobersya patungkol sa flood control projects, ang nais ng Pangulo, ipagpatuloy ang imbestigasyon (These things did not happen under the previous administration. So, whatever further controversies may arise regarding the flood control projects, the President wants the investigation to continue),” Castro said.
She said the President ordered the investigation after seeing evidence that public funds were being abused.
She said the anomalies involving flood control projects did not begin under the Marcos administration, noting that records about alleged ghost projects, irregularities, and budget insertions date back to 2016.
“Ang dasal nga niya, sana kahit matapos ang kaniyang termino, ipagpatuloy ito ng susunod na administrasyon (He prays that even after his term ends, the next administration will continue the investigation),” she added.
‘More needs to be done’
With about one year and nine months remaining in Marcos’ term, Castro acknowledged that much remains to be done.
The President, she said, wants the results of his administration’s programs to be felt in the daily lives of Filipinos.
Among the developments she cited were the Philippines’ attainment of upper-middle-income status, and its removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s gray list in February 2025.
Castro said the proposed Free Trade Agreement between the Philippines and the European Union would provide a reciprocal and comprehensive framework that could encourage job creation and give micro, small and medium enterprises opportunities to improve their products for export.
She said the agricultural sector would also benefit from tariff reductions or eliminations under the proposed agreement, noting the importance of agricultural exports, including coconut products.
“So, kung ikukumpara natin 2022 today, 2026 so nakita po natin kung ano na po ang nagawa ng Pangulo. Maraming nagawa, pero marami pa rin dapat ayusin (So, if we compare 2022 with today, 2026, we can see what the President has accomplished. A lot has been accomplished, but there is still much that needs to be fixed),” Castro said.
“Hindi naman po nangangahulugan na lahat ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino ay uunlad na dahil narating na natin itong estado na ito (This does not mean that the lives of every Filipino will immediately improve simply because we have reached this status).”
Castro said the administration is pursuing the modernization and measures to support farmers and fisherfolk, including ensuring a continued fertilizer supply amid the crisis in the Middle East.
She also identified housing, healthcare, and transportation expansion as among the government’s priorities, citing efforts to make housing more accessible, expand PhilHealth benefits, and improve the country’s transportation system.
She said the government is likewise pursuing the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen the country’s ability to protect its territory and national interests rather than to promote war.
Castro said Marcos also wants improved connectivity nationwide, as well as greater development of artificial intelligence to ensure the Philippines does not fall behind in technology. (PNA)
