Palace: Flood control mess not just about Zaldy Co

Malacañang on Tuesday said the investigation into the alleged anomalous flood control projects is not solely focused on former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, as many other individuals may also be linked to the controversy.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro made the remark during a press briefing when asked whether Malacañang believes it has fulfilled its commitment to transparency and accountability in the flood control controversy, given that Co has yet to be arrested.

“Hindi man pa nahuhuli si Zaldy Co, hindi po umiikot ang flood control mess or investigation kay Zaldy Co lamang. Marami pang maaaring involved sa anomalya. Maaari pang maraming korapsyon na naganap,” Castro said.

(Although Zaldy Co has not yet been arrested, the flood control mess or investigation does not revolve around him alone. There may be many others involved in the anomaly, and other forms of corruption may have taken place.)

Castro also cited reports of issues involving flood control projects dating back to 2018 to 2020, during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ito ay mukhang hindi pa naiimbestigahan at mukhang hindi pa nahihiya ang dapat na mahiya dito,” she said.

(It appears these have yet to be investigated, and those who should be ashamed are still not ashamed.)

Nearly a year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made his now-widely remembered “mahiya naman kayo” remark during his fourth State of the Nation Address, Castro said she believes those implicated in the controversy who returned money to the government may have already felt remorse.

“Hindi po ang Pangulo at ang Palasyo ang makakapagsabi kung nahiya na sila dahil ‘yung iba naman ay hindi pa umaamin. Pero sa tingin natin na ‘yung mga umamin at nagsauli na ng mga milyong pera, tingin natin ay nahiya na sila,” she said.

(The President and the Palace cannot say for certain whether those involved are already ashamed, since some have yet to admit their participation. But we believe those who have confessed and returned millions of pesos may already feel remorse.)

“Pero ang managot ay dapat na managot. Of course, nandiyan pa rin po, absolutely. ‘Yan ang nais ng Pangulo — managot ang dapat managot,” she added.

(But those responsible must still be held accountable. That remains the President’s directive.)—MCG, GMA News