Marcos doesn't want flood projects probe to be a witch hunt, Palace says

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. does not want the investigation into flood control projects to be a ''witch hunt,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Tuesday.

''Sabi nga po ng Pangulo, ayaw naman po nila tayo, ng Palasyo, ayaw naman po nating magkaroon ng witch hunting na kahit wala pa pong ebidensiya eh parang nalaman mo lang, ayon may anomalya, pero walang ebidensya, mahirap naman po kasi baka iyong ibang inosente ay madamay,'' Castro said in a briefing.

(The President said he does not want this to be witch hunting in which even if there's no evidence, one will be linked to anomalies. It's hard because even the innocent ones will be involved.)

Castro reiterated the call of the President for the public to report anomalous flood control project in their areas.

On Monday, the Marcos administration launched sumbongsapangulo.ph, a website designed to provide the public with access to information on flood control projects across the country. This will also allow them to report any irregularities on the said projects.

The President committed that he would personally read the public's reports as regards their complaints on flood control projects.

In the same briefing, the President disclosed that 15 contractors were awarded with most of the flood control projects.

Castro clarified that these contractors are not yet blacklisted as investigation is still ongoing. To recall, Marcos earlier said that the contractors, who will be found involved in irregularities, will be blacklisted from the government.

When it comes to entering into flood control deals, Castro said the President wants the process to be stricter.

''Definitely po, mas magiging istrikto kaya po nagbigay na po ng pahayag ang ating Pangulo kahapon at ibig sabihin, pati po kayo nasa media, magtulungan po tayo, mas maganda rin po na makita ninyo at maimbestigahan ninyo ang mga klase ng mga ito,'' Castro said.

(Definitely, we will be stricter that's why the President mentioned yesterday that we should help each other, even those from the media. It would be better if you will look into this and investigate this.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News