Palace asks public for patience in corruption cases; due process must be followed

Malacañang on Sunday asked the public for patience as the investigation and the filing of cases against the personalities and individuals involved in the anomalous flood control projects are ongoing. 

Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said that due process must be followed.

“Meron kasing pagkakataon na kailangan pa ng ebidensya. So yung nasampahan ng kaso it means, sa mata ng Ombudsman, kumpleto na ito kaya isinampa na ito, kaya nirekemonda na isampa na ito sa Sandiganbayan and after that, Sandiganbayan naman sila ang nag-issue ng warrant of arrest,” she said in an interview during GMA Integrated News special coverage of the Trillion Peso March. 

(There are times when more evidence is needed. So, for those who have cases filed against them, it means that, in the eyes of the Ombudsman, it is already complete, which is why the case was filed, and why it was recommended for filing with the Sandiganbayan, and after that, the Sandiganbayan issues the warrant of arrest.) 

“So may mga pending pang preliminary investigations sa Ombudsman, sa DOJ. Sana maunawaan ng kababayan natin, ang pag-aanalisa ng isang kaso ay hindi nadadaan sa isang tulugan…Aaralin po ‘yan, ayun po ang tinatawag natin na due process,” Castro added. 

(So there are still preliminary investigations pending at the Ombudsman, at the Department of Justice. We hope our countrymen understand that the analysis of a case does not happen overnight... It needs to be studied; that is what we call due process.)

But the Palace official pointed out that several things have been accomplished already in almost four months with regards to the flood control mess. 

“Naiintindihan po namin na naiinip kayo, pero ang masasabi natin, halos maga-apat na buwan pa lang pero mayroon na tayong issues, may BIR cases na na-file, mayroong na-freeze na assets, may na-auction na mga sasakyan, may mga kaso na nasampa, may mga warrants of arrest na na-issue in just four months or less than four months, as compared sa six years ng dating administrasyon, na walang ganitong nangyari, walang malakihang  pag-imbestiga….so kung ikukumpara natin, ang bilis ng administrasyon ngayon para mapanagot ang mga sangkot,” said Castro. 

(We understand that you are getting impatient, but what we can say is that it has only been nearly four months, yet we already have issues [resolved], cases have been filed before the Bureau of Internal Revenue, assets have been frozen, vehicles have been auctioned, cases have been filed, and warrants of arrest have been issued in just four months or less than four months, as compared to the six years of the previous administration, where nothing like this happened, no large-scale investigation... so if we compare them, the current administration is fast in holding those involved accountable.) 

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier recommended to the Ombudsman that former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and seven House members be investigated for possible plunder and bribery in connection with billions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects from 2016 to 2024.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council has also secured billions worth of assets from officials and companies involved in the mess. 

For his part, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said there’s no point to rush everything as the cases are not simple. 

“Naiintindihan ko po yung nararamdaman ng ating mga kababayan, naiinip po sila. Kami man din po ay naiinip din. Pero hindi po natin pwedeng madaliin ang isang bagay dahil lang po gusto natin ma-appease ang publiko,” he told GMA Integrated News in a separate interview. 

(I understand the feelings of our countrymen, they are impatient. We, too, are also impatient. But we cannot rush something just because we want to appease the public.) 

“Kung ang habol natin ay kasong matitibay na tatagal at tatayo sa husgado, kinakailangan nito ay masinop na pagkalap ng ebidensya. Sa mga pagkakataon na ito, hindi po ganun kadali dahil remember there is conspiracy among individuals na sila-sila lang po ang nakakaalam,” he added. “Kaya nahihirapan ang ating National Bureau of Investigation to start looking into cases where proponents are involved already, ito po yung mga matataas na opisyal.”  

(If we are after strong cases, that will last and stand up in court, it requires meticulous gathering of evidence. In these instances, it is not that easy because remember there is a conspiracy among individuals where only they themselves know. That is why our National Bureau of Investigation is having difficulty starting to look into cases where proponents are already involved—these are the high-ranking officials.)

Marcos earlier warned that those involved in corruption in flood control projects would be jailed before Christmas Day.

The President maintained that he wants airtight cases against personalities involved in the flood control projects scandal. Sometimes, cases were junked because of lack of evidence or technicalities, he added.

Marcos on protests 

When asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. felt threatened by the protests, with some calling for his resignation, Castro said the Chief Executive will not let his guard down. 

“Hindi ko kasi nakitaan ang Pangulo na felt threatened siya but sabi nga natin, pero sabi naman niya hindi siya magpapakampante kasi nakikita rin naman niya maraming kababayan natin na hindi na maganda ang pakiramdam sa nangyayari sa korapsyon,” she said. 

(I have not seen the President feel threatened, but as we have said, he also stated that he will not be complacent because he sees that many of our countrymen are not happy with what is happening with corruption.)

“So ito welcome ito sa pakikinig pero may mga ilan kasi, may mga ilan-ilan na gusto maghasik ng kadiliman sa gobyerno na ang gusto ay pababain ang Pangulo. So hindi siya pwede magpakakampante, kailangan laging handa.” 

(So listening is welcome but there are some, there are a few who want to sow darkness in the government and want to bring down the President. So, he cannot be complacent; he needs to be constantly prepared.) 

Further, Castro said that Marcos is monitoring the protests from his official residence in Malacañang Palace.

“Sabi nga natin, even before, ang Pangulo kasi nire-respeto niya yung karapatang pantao sa kanilang pagpapahayag - freedom of expression. Kahit nga ang Pangulo, sinabi niya na kung hindi siya Presidente malamang nandiyan din siya sa labas at sumisigaw ng katarungan para sa pondo ng bayan,” she said. 

(As we said, even before, the President respects the human right to express themselves - the freedom of expression. Even the President himself said that if he were not the president, he would probably be out there, too, shouting for justice for the nation's funds.) 

“So kung ano yung nakikita natin ngayon, hangga’t di naman sila lumalabag sa batas, hindi naman po ‘yan pipigilan ng pangulo dahil alam ng pangulo ang hinaing ng taong bayan. Ngayon po nagmo-monitor pa rin ang Pangulo…within the vicinity po, sa Malacañang.” 

(So, what we are seeing now, as long as they are not violating the law, the President will not stop the people because the President knows the grievances of the people. The President is monitoring right now... within the vicinity of Malacañang.) —RF, GMA Integrated News