By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Amid public unrest arising from sentiments of frustration, disappointment, and anger on ‘ghost’ and anomalous flood control projects, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro assured investors that the government is on top of corruption-related issues.
In the Malacañang press briefing Monday, Castro noted that the ongoing probe into lapses in government public works reflects the seriousness of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to resolve this pressing national concern, noting that his initiative is a stark departure from efforts of previous administrations to stifle corruption.
The Palace mouthpiece declared, “We all know that investors want to invest in countries whose leaders fight corruption, whose leaders are willing to put in jail people who are corrupt; and that is what the President is doing right now.”
She elaborated further, “Siya lamang po ang Presidente na nagpapa-imbestiga ng malawakang anomalya, especially itong flood control projects—kahit sa panahon ng kanyang administrasyon. We believe na lahat ng investors ay mas hahangaan ang Pangulo dahil lumalaban [siya] sa korapsyon.”
Castro moreover said that the country’s police force remains on high alert amid speculations that Sunday’s protests may spillover in the coming days or weeks, noting that the President is prepared for such circumstances and remains unfazed by such threats.
Meanwhile, when asked about circulating rumors on attempts to torch the Palace, she responded by citing the presence of an entity that aims to usurp the authority and power of the Chief Executive, and undermine public confidence and trust in President Marcos Jr.
“Mayroong gustong kumuha ng power, iyon lang, at gustong sirain ang magandang nagagawa ng Pangulo at sirain ang Pangulo sa mata ng ibang tao.”
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