Marcos says resignation doesn't absolve people of culpability

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Monday that resigning from one's post would not exonerate an individual from accountability.

Amid corruption and irregularity issues in the flood control projects, Marcos was asked if resigning absolve people of culpability.

For the President, this move is not enough.

“No. That’s not sufficient. That’s not enough, that’s not enough. There’s been a great deal of damage that has been caused, not only financial damage or economic damage, but actual damage to people’s lives,” Marcos said in an episode of BBM Podcast.

According to Marcos, the government must ensure that the charges against those suspected of involvement in corruption must be airtight, noting that these should be backed by solid proof in order to hold the “guilty ones" accountable.

To recall, controversial Zaldy Co resigned as Ako Bicol party-list representative amid allegations that he is linked to corruption in infrastructure projects. 

Co, a Marcos ally, has since denied involvement to corrupt practices.

Manuel Bonoan also quit as secretary of Department of Public Works and Highways last August. He was replaced by former Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.

Earlier, Senator Panfilo Lacson disclosed that Bonoan had a “family business” with Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Rene Maglanque whom he said is a contractor of multi-billion worth of flood control projects. 

Under Bonoan's watch, the DPWH teams consolidated inspection reports to determine questionable projects and conducted full audits that could lead to sanctions.

Before leaving his post, Bonoan said he is taking accountability on alleged anomalous flood control projects.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure is conducting an investigation into anomalies linked to flood control projects and other infrastructure projects in the last ten years.

Marcos has since emphasized that the probe by the ICI would be independent

“This is a process. Much of what we’ve heard are allegations. Si ganyan nagnakaw eh, si ganyan binigyan ko ng pera. (Somebody stole funds, somebody was given funds.) We have to prove it, we don’t want to go after people who are innocent,” Marcos said.

“We know a lot of people are not innocent. But if we’re going to bring them to court, you must have a strong case,” he added. — RSJ/AOL, GMA Integrated News