By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
At the Malacañang press briefing on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reaffirmed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s non-involvement in the flood control probe being conducted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
This, as the ICI’s credibility continues to be put to the test by concerns and questions raised regarding its capability to delve deeper into the ‘ghost’ and anomalous flood control projects, as well as lapses in other government public works that have elicited scrutiny and public outrage in recent months.
When asked by reporters, Castro emphasized the importance of transparency in investigating matters of public interest and national importance, which President Marcos treats with utmost respect as he defers the results of the investigation and its publicization to the jurisdiction of the independent body.
The Palace press briefer declared, “Ang Pangulo po, gusto sa lahat ng pagkakataon may transparency. Sa lahat ng pag-iimbestiga, dapat may transparency, walang itinatago. Pero [kung] paano po ito gagawin ng ICI; kung paano po ito maisasapubliko; kung paano po sila magiging transparent; [at kung] hanggang saan, nasa ICI na po yan.”
She meanwhile pointed out the differences in the functions of the Ombudsman and the ICI, noting that the former deals with several cases varying greatly in scope and severity, while the latter is formed to exclusively focus on unraveling the truth behind anomalies in government infrastructure projects.
Castro wrapped up her remarks on the independent body by reiterating that the Chief Executive is open to inputs from the House of Representatives, that seek to file legislation aimed at empowering the independent body.
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