Amid the Criticisms on Gov’t Actions to Flood Control Issue, Malacañang Asserts “Due Process”
Malacañang spoke on the criticisms of alleged ‘slow’ government response on the flood control issue in the Philippines.
Currently, the investigation on the flood control issue in the Philippines is ongoing. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI which was formed upon the order of President Bongbong Marcos has conducted several closed-door hearings already.
The commission has invited some government officials who were tagged in the flood control issue in the country. However, the ICI refused to release recordings of the past flood control hearings nor to show the evidence that they have gathered. Meanwhile, the commission heed the public clamor to livestream the next flood control inquiries.
The ICI is a three-member body led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. Among the government officials invited by the commission were Senator Chiz Escudero, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Sen. Joel Villanueva.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had a change of leadership amid the supposed multi-billion flood control scam in the Philippines. Presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez stepped down from being the House speaker to give way for the ICI investigation.
According to Romualdez, he wants the ICI to be able to exercise their mandate to investigate freely, fully, and without undue influence. He was accused by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. Ex-marine Orly Guteza claimed that he was allegedly part of the team that delivered suitcases filled with millions of money to the residence of the former House Speaker and Zaldy Co.
Amid the ongoing flood control investigation in the Philippines, many Filipinos are seemingly losing patience and calling on the government to speed up the process. Recently, Malacañang was asked to comment on the criticisms of alleged ‘slow’ response of the state on the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the country.
Based on a report on GMA News, Malacañang press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that due process should be observed. According to her, the government is speeding up the process but it does not mean that the fast-tracking will violate human rights.
“Sa mga naiinip, ang pamahalaan po ay nasa tamang pagkilos na naaayon sa batas. Nagmamadali? Yes, minamadali lahat pero hindi natin mamamadali ang lahat pero magba-violate tayo ng batas at ng human rights,” the Malacañang official said.
Furthermore, based on the report, the Malacañang press official also claimed that other Filipinos may also end up as victims if the state will not uphold due process. Atty. Claire Castro stressed that what the government is doing is part of the due process.
“Kayo rin po ay mabibiktima kapag ka walang due process. So isipin natin, ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan ngayon ay may katungkulan sa due process,” she expressed.
The Senate has yet to resume its flood control hearings. Recently, Sen. Ping Lacson claimed that he wants the flood control probe to resume on November 14 with a “very important witness”.