By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
Department of Justice (DOJ) Usec. Jose “Jojo” Cadiz Jr. has resigned following reports linking him to a contractor in Ilocos Norte, Malacañang confirmed Friday.
“Sa aking pagkakaalam, siya ay nag-submit na ng kaniyang resignation,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing, confirming Cadiz’s resignation.
Castro said she has yet to confirm with the DOJ the exact date of Cadiz’s resignation, adding that any investigation regarding the matter should proceed.
“If there’s a need for investigation on that issue, so let the investigation be done,” she said.
Castro said Cadiz’s resignation should be seen in a positive light, reflecting the government’s seriousness in eradicating corruption.
“Hindi po ba mas magandang tingnan iyon, mas maganda po iyon dahil ibig sabihin hindi nagtu-tolerate ang Pangulo kung mayroon mang mga taong maaaring nasasangkot kahit wala pang judgment, hindi tulad noong mga nakaraan kahit nandiyan na iyong mga pangalan ay nag-i-stay pa rin kahit malaki na ang issue about sa korapsiyon,” she said.
Castro emphasized that resigning amid potential involvement is a sign of respect for the President and the public, and aligns with the administration’s anti-corruption stance.
“Katulad po niyan, kung sila ay nai-involve at alam nila na maaari silang masangkot kahit wala silang kasalanan—paggalang ito sa Pangulo,” Castro said.
“Paggalang ito sa taumbayan; paggalang ito sa Pangulo. Alam nila ang gusto ng Pangulo—dapat masawata ang korapsiyon,” she added.
Bravery to face probe
Meanwhile, Marcos expressed pride in his son, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, for his conduct during his appearance before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Castro said.
She described the presidential son as “brave and commendable” for facing the ICI, saying that his actions reflected good upbringing.
“Unang-una bilang magulang makikita natin kung papaano ba pinalaki ng mga magulang ang isang anak: disente, hindi takot, matapang na humarap sa imbestigasyon, hindi nagtago, nagboluntaryo pa, kinilala ang ICI hindi tulad ng iba. So, doon pa lang po bilang magulang ay proud sila sa kanilang anak,” Castro said.
To support the ICI’s ongoing investigation into flood control anomalies, Castro said the fact-finding body has already received the funds it needs to carry out its probe.
“Dahil lahat po ng kailangan ng ICI, lahat ng maibibigay na tulong po na manggagaling po sa Pangulo, iyan po ay ibinibigay,” Castro said.
Asked if the ICI would soon be abolished as the Ombudsman is set to take over, Castro said this is possible, given that the fact-finding body’s role is to gather documents and facts to help the anti-graft body and the Department of Justice.
“Sa ngayon, hindi po ako makakasagot patungkol po diyan at hindi pa po rin namin napag-uusapan ang patungkol po diyan. But since nga po nandiyan naman din po ang Ombudsman at napaka-active din po nila patungkol po sa usapin ng maanomalyang flood control projects, maaari pong maging ganoon,” she said.
