Marcos on protest actions vs. corruption: If I wasn't President, I might be out in the streets with them

''If I wasn't President, I might be out in the streets with them.''

This was the statement made by President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. following the public rage against corruption, particularly those related to the anomalous and questionable flood control projects. 

At a press conference Monday, Marcos emphasized that the public should really be angry with the revelations over these faulty flood control projects, adding that it has been his aspiration to solve the issue as he was the one who ''brought this up.''

''Well, that is only if we don't do anything about it. What we have found... you have to remember I brought this up and it is my interest that we find a solution to what has become very egregious problem and since this has all been exposed well it's actually known to many people but it has now been exposed to the general public,'' Marcos said when asked if the protest actions are a cause of concern as it might potentially snowball into what has happened in Nepal and Indonesia.  

''Do you blame them for going out to the street? If I wasn't President, I might be out in the streets with them. So, you know, of course they are enraged, they are angry. I'm angry. We should all be angry because what's happening is not right,'' he added.

The President even seemed to encourage the public to make their feelings known, however, protest actions must be done in a peaceful manner.

''So yes, express it... you come, you make your feelings known to these people... make them answerable for the wrongdoings that they have done. Malaman ninyo ang sentimyento, malaman ninyo kung papano nila kayo sinaktan, kung papano nila kayo ninakawan nitong mga ito. Malaman ninyo sa kanila, sigawan ninyo... lahat mag-demonstrate, just keep it peaceful,'' he said.

(Let your sentiments be known, let them know how they have hurt you, how they have stolen from you. Shout at them. Conduct demonstrations, just keep it peaceful.)

Police have to do their duties if the protest actions become hostile, according to Marcos. 

A huge protest action against corruption is reportedly slated on Sunday, September 21. 

Marcos said he doesn't blame the public for being angry and disappointed, adding that he wants to show to them that there is fairness and justice in the system. 

''But to show that you are enraged, to show that you are angry, to show that you are disappointed, to show that you want justice, to show that you want fairness, what's wrong with that? I want to show that there is justice. I want to show that there is fairness. I want to hold these people accountable. So, I don't blame them, not one bit,'' Marcos said.

Several protest actions have been held in the previous days over corruption and irregularities related to the anomalous flood projects.

Malacañang earlier said the President is respecting the public's freedom of expression. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News