Marcos not absolving Pangandaman, open to investigation — Palace

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not absolving nor is he closing the doors for further investigation when he reappointed former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman back to the government, Malacañang said Monday.

Pangandaman, who resigned from her post in November 2025 after her name was mentioned in the flood control scandal, was recently named chairperson and CEO of the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP).

“Iba naman po ang usapin ng patungkol sa anomalya sa flood control projects. Kung meron po silang nakikitang ebidensya laban kay dating Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, bukas po ang Pangulo sa kung ano mang klaseng pag iimbestiga,” Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

(The issue concerning the alleged anomalies in the flood control projects is a separate matter. If they have evidence against former Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the President is open to whatever kind of investigation may be conducted.)

“Hindi naman po ibig sabihin ito an inaakusahan ng Pangulo, hinuhusgahan ng Pangulo, o ina-abswelto ng Pangulo,” she added.

(It does not mean that the President is accusing anyone, passing judgment, or absolving anyone.)

When asked whether the reappointment sends the wrong signal, Castro reiterated that Pangandaman has no pending case.

She said that anyone may file a case if they have evidence.

“Hindi po ang Pangulo ang mag iimbestiga. ‘Yan po ay binigay sa ICI, ngayon po sa Ombudsman, pati ang DOJ. Malaya po ang mga investigating bodies na imbestigahan ang sino man maaring sangkot,” she said.

(It is not the President who will conduct the investigation. That has been entrusted to the ICI, as well as to the Ombudsman and the DOJ. The investigating bodies are free to investigate anyone who may be involved.) — RSJ, GMA News