By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is willing to engage in discussions to address issues concerning the country’s flood control projects, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement after confirming that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong had already submitted to Marcos the documents detailing the alleged corruption in the implementation of flood control projects.
Speaking to reporters, Castro said Magalong is “welcome” to meet with Marcos to discuss the alleged irregularities in flood mitigation projects.
“Kahit naman po sino ay open ang Pangulo, kung ito naman po ay patungkol sa ma-anomalyang flood control projects,” she said.
Magalong earlier accused some lawmakers of involvement in irregularities related to flood control projects.
Castro reassured the public that the President is committed to holding all individuals involved in anomalous flood control projects accountable, regardless of their rank or affiliation with him.
She, however, said that Marcos is not naming anyone at this stage, as he does not want to unfairly implicate “innocent” individuals.
She also acknowledged that while some personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways may have been involved in the anomalous flood control projects, a significant number remain uninvolved and should not be presumed guilty.
Castro said the investigation would be conducted with fairness, adding that flood control projects, especially those identified as priority projects, would undergo close monitoring.
“Kung iyan man po ay priority project at naayon sa NEP (National Expenditure Program), accountability is stricter. Mas lalo ‘tong tututukan ng Pangulo,” she said.
“Pero ito man po ay nasa NEP o parte ng insertions at proyekto ng ibang mga politiko, hindi nangangahulugan na hindi iimbestigahan. Lahat po iyan, pantay-pantay iimbestigahan.”
