By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Citing an upcoming probe on Manila Bay’s Dolomite Beach to be held by the House of Representatives on November 17, the Palace said that it would not interfere with the lawmakers’ investigation into the link between this waterfront destination and widespread flooding in Metro Manila, as well as other anomalies that may be associated with it.
At the Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited that the government’s Executive branch honors the separation of powers, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. keeping his hands off this matter.
Castro told the media, “Kung anuman po ang magiging trabaho at gagawing mga hakbang ng House of Representatives sa pag-iimbestiga dito sa Dolomite Beach, ‘yan naman po ay kanilang trabaho at hindi naman po hahadlang sa anumang hakbang ang Pangulo tungkol diyan.
She stressed, “Maaari na din po talagang maging hakbang ito para makita kung talaga bang nagkaroon ito ng anomalya, kung mayroon bang naidulot ito sa nangyayaring pagbaha sa Metro Manila, at kung [nakakaapekto] ito sa kalikasan ng ating bansa.”
The Palace mouthpiece, meanwhile, issued a stern warning against those who view this House inquiry on the Dolomite Beach Project as a political weapon against the Dutertes, with this tourist destination being constructed and completed under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022.
Castro warned the opposition, “Ibig po bang sabihin, kapag iniimbestigahan ang nakaraang proyekto na nagawa noong nakaraang administrasyon, dapat hindi na ito paimbestigahan dahil otherwise it will be considered as politicizing? Parang hindi naman po yata tama ‘yan.”
She capped off her remarks on this topic by challenging the administration’s critics to prove the Chief Executive’s involvement and participation on the House’s Dolomite Beach probe
“Bago sila magsalita niyan, patunayan muna nila na ang Pangulo ang behind dito sa Dolomite Beach probe—kasi kung wala at nag-i-speculate lang tayo na sasabihin nila na ang Pangulo ang behind dito, hindi naman po ito makatuwiran at unfair po iyan sa Pangulo.”
The construction of the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach Project began prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with an initial cost of P389 million. With an additional P265 million budget, it was later expanded during the project’s second phase in 2021, leading to the completion of a 900-meter long and 60-meter wide beach in 2022 that caters to both domestic and foreign tourists.
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