Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has stated that his administration will not hasten the investigation into the multibillion-peso flood control projects controversy, stressing that cases built on insufficient evidence could undermine the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
According to Philippines News Agency, despite increasing public demand for the immediate arrest of those involved, President Marcos asserted that mere accusations and testimonies would not be adequate in court without solid evidence. The President highlighted the importance of building strong cases to ensure successful prosecution.
In a teaser of his latest podcast episode released on Sunday, Marcos elaborated on the potential consequences of rushing the investigation process. He remarked, “Look, what would happen if we rushed the investigation? We would have incomplete and unclear evidence. But we still pursued the filing of cases. The result: We lost the cases.” He further emphasized that the current situation demands careful and thorough investigation to avoid such outcomes.
President Marcos underlined the necessity of adhering to the law and focusing on holding the guilty accountable. “We have to follow the law. Otherwise, whatever we do is not legitimate. And we have to be very, very clear that we go after the guilty ones,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to a lawful and effective resolution to the issue.
To address the alleged anomalies in infrastructure projects, particularly flood control works from the past decade, Marcos established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). The commission’s findings will guide the recommendation for filing charges. Since the appointment of its three members nearly a month ago, the ICI has conducted closed-door hearings and summoned government officials and contractors associated with questionable projects.
In a previous podcast episode, Marcos pledged to pursue major offenders once the ICI concludes its investigation into what he described as a significant corruption scandal in recent years.