Marcos vows to pursue ‘big fish’ in flood control mess - Palace 

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to catch the “big fish” behind the anomalous flood control projects. 

Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez reiterated the earlier statement of the President that those involved in corruption in flood control projects would be jailed before Christmas Day. 

“Ngayon tatlong buwan pa lang simula nung binunyag ng ating Pangulo ito at marami nang nakasuhan at marami pang makakasuhan at meron ng mga nakulong at pangako nga ng Pangulo natin, bago mag-Pasko, mas marami pang makukulong. Kasama na diyan yung mga tinatawag nilang big fish,” he said in a television interview. 

(It has only been three months since our President revealed this, and many have already been charged, many more will be charged, and some have already been jailed. And the promise of our President is that before Christmas, more people will be jailed. That includes those they call the 'big fish.’) 

The official made the statement amid the ongoing massive anti-corruption protests being held in various parts of the country. This is the second iteration of the September 21 protests that seek accountability in light of the flood control mess. 

Gomez said that it’s important right now to have strong evidence in the case build-up in the ongoing investigation. 

“Ang importante lang talaga, mapatibay natin ‘yung ating mga ebidensya sa ating case build-up para this time around walang makakalusot sa mga nagnakaw sa bayan. Sisiguraduhin natin mananagot sila at mababawi natin yung kanilang mga ninakaw,” he added. 

(What is truly important is that we strengthen our evidence in our case build-up so that this time around, none of those who stole from the nation can evade [justice]. We will ensure they are held accountable and that we can recover what they stole.) 

Airtight cases

He also said in a radio interview that the government is determined to build airtight cases against those involved in the scandal. 

“Yan ang iniiwasan natin. Kaya nga sinasabi ko…kailangan matibay talaga 'yung kaso na ihahain natin. So, sa ngayon, nag-build up tayo ng ating mga kaso, nag-iipon tayo ng mga ebidensya, and hopefully, the evidence will lead us to conviction of these people and mabawi natin yung kanilang mga ninakaw,” said Gomez. 

(That is what we are avoiding. That is why I am saying... the case we file must truly be strong. So, right now, we are building up our cases, we are gathering evidence, and hopefully, the evidence will lead us to the conviction of these people and we can recover what they stole.) 

The President also called on former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to “return to the country to face the music, to face his arrest warrant, and swear under oath all these allegations,” according to Gomez. 

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier said that Marcos is monitoring the rallies from Malacañang. 

Gomez, meanwhile, reiterated that the Palace respects the freedom of speech and right to peaceably assemble. 

“Ito (protest actions) ay parte ng kanilang freedom of speech. So kami patuloy lang nagmo-monitor at sana manatiling mapayapa ‘yung mga rally at maging vigilant lang tayo na bantayan natin ‘yung ating mga hanay sa mga may masamang balak na manggulo,” said Gomez. 

(These are part of their freedom of speech. So, we will continue to monitor, and we hope the rallies remain peaceful, and let us just be vigilant to watch our ranks against those with bad intentions to cause trouble.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News