Marcos: Let Ombudsman do its job fighting corruption

BUSAN, South Korea - President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Saturday that the Office of the Ombudsman should be allowed to do its work to prosecute corrupt government officials and employees amid irregularities in the flood control projects.

"It's time to let the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) do its work and let the Ombudsman do his work and let the DOJ (Department of Justice) do their work, and then that is on the legal side na hinahabol natin 'yung mga na-identify na kasama dito sa napakalaking sistema ng corruption (that we go after those identified as being involved in this massive system of corruption)," Marcos said during the Kapihan sa Media. 

Recently, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he planned to file charges against high-ranking government officials and their cohorts in the anomalous flood control projects before the Sandiganbayan by November 25.

Remulla was referring to government officials with Salary Grade 27 and above as they fall under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan, or the anti-graft court.

Those cases against individuals under Salary Grade 26 and below and their alleged co-conspirators are under the jurisdiction of the regional trial courts.

Remulla also said that the Ombudsman would use artificial intelligence to investigate and prosecute graft and corruption cases. 

During the briefing, Marcos was asked how much he would be open to using AI in the government. 

He said, ''As much as we can, as soon as we can. You're missing a chance if you wait.''

''AI is going to come, parang alon 'yan eh. Kahit anong gawin mo, mababasa ka. And if you don't learn how to swim, i.e., if you do not learn how to use AI in the best way, and in a secure way, and in a benevolent way, maiiwanan ka talaga," he added.

(AI is going to come; it's like a wave. No matter what you do, you're going to get wet. And if you don't learn how to swim, i.e., if you don't learn how to use AI in the best way, and in a secure way, and in a benevolent way, you're really going to be left behind.)  —VBL, GMA Integrated News