Palace says gov't willing to give protection, but Discayas should give 'whole picture'

Malacañang on Monday said it is open to providing protection to Sarah and Curlee Discayas after they revealed that some lawmakers are allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects. 

During a press briefing in Cambodia, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked for a reaction to the call of the Discaya couple for protection following their revelations in the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.

While open, Castro said the Discayas should reveal the whole picture and not be ''selective'' in making allegations. 

''Kailangan naman po talaga mabigyan ang mga witnesses na talagang may kinalaman sa facts or data about this. Kailangan po talaga ng proteksyon. Hindi naman yan ipagkakait ng pamahalaan,” Castro said.

(Witnesses, who know this, should be accorded protection.) 

''Pero sana nga po, gusto nating madinig sa lahat ay 'yung mga kailan, 'yung kabuuang kwento. Baka kasi nagiging selective lang sila,'' she added. 

(But, we want to hear the whole story, as they may be selective.) 

She also said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. wants a thorough investigation into the issue, adding that the President does not want to drop names without concrete evidence. 

The Philippine government is set to release in the coming days membership details of the independent body that will oversee the investigation into anomalous flood control projects that have been riddled with corruption allegations.

According to Marcos, the independent body will be completely separate from the government, and will be comprised of a lawyer or a justice, an investigator, and a forensic accountant who will be working with all government agencies—primarily with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the investigation aspect, and the Commission on Audit (COA) for information.—LDF, GMA Integrated News