Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants those involved in the country’s botched flood control project to be held accountable.
In his presidential address on Monday, the president stressed that he wants justice to be served for the corruption being perpetrated by lawmakers in Congress and the Senate.
Also, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and contractors who embezzled multi-billion pesos from the people’s taxes.
The president stressed, along with the publicization of the members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) that will focus on the investigation of the flood control project, that through this he wants to show Filipinos that there is justice and equality.
Regarding the involvement of his cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez, allies named in the large-scale extortion racket, namely Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, and Senators Jeol Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, the president said they are not immune from investigations.
For the independent organization Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, led by Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, those named in the controversy need to purge their ranks, particularly in the Senate and Congress.
Goitia explained that the investigation will be meaningless if those involved refuse to face the investigations.
He also said that politics should be put aside in this situation, what is needed is a leader with integrity who stands up for the truth.
The President has also named the members of the ICI, including former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Bernal Reyes Jr. as Head of the ICI, Baguio City Benjamin Magalong as Special Adviser, and former DPWH Secretary Rogelioi Babes Singson and Rosana Fajaro from the private sector as members.
The ICI is tasked with expediting the investigation of anomalous flood control projects in the country.
All flood control projects for 2026 have been cancelled by the President.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News