Marcos monitoring rallies from Palace —PCO

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is monitoring the rallies calling for transparency and accountability conducted by different groups, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said Sunday.

In a Viber message, Gomez said Marcos is in Malacañang monitoring the situation.

“Yes, the President is monitoring today,” Gomez said.

Meanwhile, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Marcos is listening to the demands of the public in addressing the alleged corruption in the country.

“Naka-monitor naman po siya. Kasi ang pangyayari ngayon ay isang malaking event at kinakailangan rin i-monitor ng Pangulo 'di lang sa pagbabanta diumano ng iba ng destabilization,” Castro told GMA Integrated News.

“Siyempre kailangan niya madinig kung ano ba 'yung mga nais pa ng mga kababayan natin na magawa ng gobyerno,” she added.

(He is monitoring, because what is happening now is a major event. The President not only monitors the alleged threats of destabilization but also the demands of the public in addressing the alleged corruption in the country.)

The religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and other groups held rallies on Sunday to call for transparency and better governance amid the alleged corruption linked to the anomalous flood control projects.

The INC is holding their rally at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, while the United People's Initiative (UPI) Fighting Corruption, a group of generals, is holding their protest action at the EDSA People Power Monument. 

Meanwhile, around 3,000 runners participated in the Takbo Laban sa Korapsyon 2.0 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus.

As of 1 p.m., the crowd estimate at Quirino Grandstand was at 45,000, according to the Manila Public Information Office.

Not worried

Castro said the President is not worried about the protests that are taking place, but is prepared for any eventuality

“Sa puntong ito, 'di nababahala ang pangulo dahil alam niya marami sa kababayan natin ang naniniwala sa gobyerno at nakikita ng karamihan ng ating kababayan kung ano na ang ginagawa ng gobyerno para mapanagot ang mga sangkot,” Castro said.

(At this point, the President is not worried because he knows that many Filipinos have faith in the government, and that many of our countrymen recognize the government’s efforts to hold those responsible accountable.)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said it is on alert for any sudden incidents which may occur during the series of anti-corruption protests conducted by different groups.

Heavy security is in place on Mendiola Street and the roads near Malacañang Palace on Sunday.

Marcos and INC

Castro also said there is no “negative” relationship between Marcos and the INC, which endorsed him during his 2022 presidential campaign with Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Tingin natin pinakita naman ng members ng INC na sila ay laban sa corruption at 'yan din ang daan na tinutungo ng pangulo. So, wala tayong nakikita sa hindi susuportahan ng INC ang Pangulo,” Castro said.

(We see that members of the INC have shown that they are against corruption, which is also the President’s goal. Therefore, we don’t see the INC opposing the President.)

“Walang namamagitan na anumang negatibo, dahil hindi naman sa pangulo ang direction ng kanilang rally kung hindi sa korapsyon mismo,” she added.

(There is no negative relationship because their rally is directed towards corruption and not the President.)

Protesters called for transparency from the government amid allegations of corruption related to the anomalous flood control projects in the country.

As of 11 a.m., about 40,000 protesters are at Luneta Park and Quirino Grandstand, according to the National Capital Region Police Office.

This number reached 45,000 as of 1 p.m., according to the Manila Public Information Office.

On corruption

Castro said Marcos is determined to get rid of corruption in government.

"Matagal na pong nagtatrabaho si Pangulong Marcos, Jr.  para maiayos at malinis ang mga kalat na iniwan ng nakaraan," Castro said in a message to reporters when asked for a reaction to UPI urging him to take steps to restore public confidence.

(President Marcos has long been working to fix and clean up the trash from the past.)

"Huwag nating kalimutan na si Pangulomg Marcos Jr. , ang nagpasimula ng malalimang pagiimbestiga na ito para makita ng taumbayan na ang Pangulo ay kaisa nila sa pagsugpo ng korapsyon," she added.

(Let us not forget that President Marcos was the one who called for a deeper investigation so the public can see that the President is one with them in getting rid of corruption.)

Castro said those who want Marcos out of power are the ones who are affected by the investigation.

"Ang mga nag nanais na siya ay mawala sa pwesto ay mga tao at mga supportes na tinatamaan ng pag iimbestiga na ito," she said.

(Those who want him out of power are the ones affected by the investigation and their supporters.)

"Naglalabasan na ang mga ebidensya kaya huwag natin hayaang padilimin itong muli ng mga team itim na naghahasik ng kadiliman sa gobyerno  at siyang  nagnanais na ipatigil ang pagpapanagot sa mga sangkot," Castro said.

(The evidence are already coming out so let us not allow Team Itim to cast darkness in government and prevent those liable to be held accountable.)

"Pag naiba ang liderato, maaaring hindi na ituloy ang mga pag iimbestiga na ito at makalaya ang mga kurakot," she added.

(If the leadership is changed, it is possible that this investigation will not be pursued and the corrupt ones will go scot-free.) —KG, GMA Integrated News