By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Tuesday welcomed the result of a recent survey showing that the main reason the public trusts President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is his fight against corruption.
“Yun naman po talaga ang nais ng Pangulo na maipakita sa taumbayan, na ang administrasyon ngayon ay lumalaban sa korapsiyon, ang administrasyon na ito ay siyang magpapa-imbestiga sa mga abuso sa gobyerno,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
Based on the Pulse Asia survey conducted on Feb. 27–March 2 and released on March 25, the top reasons given by those who trust the President were his anti-corruption efforts (28.6%), followed by measures in helping calamity-hit areas and victims (12.4%), his administration’s programs succeeding in improving the lives of Filipinos (10.9%), and his efforts to help farmers (9.9%).
“Yan po ang gustong manatili ng Pangulo sa isipan ng taumbayan. At ’yan po ang ayaw niya na mapatid—gusto niya, sana ay magtuloy-tuloy ito kahit hindi na po siya ang Pangulo,” Castro said.
In September 2025, Marcos issued Executive Order 94, establishing the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the fact-finding commission tasked to investigate anomalous flood control projects. Six months later, the ICI announced the end of its operations by March 31, 2026—stressing that it had accomplished its mandate.
However, some criticized ICI’s abolition, expressing disappointment that no “big fish” had yet been caught and that the administration had forgotten the issue.
Castro emphasized that the probe into the flood control anomalies continues with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Ombudsman taking the lead, even if the ICI ceases operations.
“Marami na po silang naisumite sa DOJ; marami na po silang naisumite sa Ombudsman. Ang ibig sabihin po niyan, hindi po natulog, nagpahinga, hindi po nag-relax ang ICI. Ngayon po, lahat po ng kanilang nairekomenda na kasuhan o further investigation, nasa kamay na po ‘yan ng DOJ at ng Ombudsman,” she said.
“Di po masasabing yun lang ang naging trabaho ng ICI; ang masasabi po natin, iyon ang naging trabaho ng ICI,” she added.
Castro assured the public that investigations and prosecutions will proceed, reiterating that no one will be spared from accountability as long as there is sufficient evidence against the involved officials and private contractors.
“Kahit sino pa iyan, kung merong kinalaman, may ebidensiya, hindi puro pa-media… Ang kailangan natin dito ebidensiya, ebidensiya na siyang magtuturo at siyang magiging basehan para ma-prosecute ang mga taong involve,” the Palace official stressed.
Castro to admin ‘detractors’: Avoid politicking this Holy Week
Malacañang also urged critics to refrain from political attacks during the solemn observance of the Holy Week.
“Sa panahon ngayon, iwasan po natin sana ang pamomolitika. Kung wala po silang masasabing maganda at kundi paninira lamang, tumigil muna sila… or tumigil na sila permanently at makipagtulungan na lamang po sa administrasyon para sa ikaaangat ng ating bansa at ikaaangat din po ng bawat Pilipino,” Castro said.
She added that criticisms driven by personal interest against the government are not appropriate amid current national challenges.
The Palace was also asked for comment on the remarks made by Sen. Imee Marcos, saying she is seeking forgiveness from her father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., for not being able to watch over her younger brother.
Castro stressed that while President Marcos Jr. is aware of his sister’s pronouncements, he has chosen not to engage with the issue.
“Ang Pangulo hindi po ito nagmumura, hindi ito nagme-meltdown lalo na sa publiko at hindi po ito nagbabanta sa buhay ninuman,” she said.
-jpv
