Government asked: Where’s the flood control big fish?

MANILA, Philippines — An opposition lawmaker yesterday accused the Marcos administration of carrying out “selective prosecution” in its flood control corruption investigation, questioning the whereabouts of the “big fish” the President swore to put behind bars.

“Malacañang can claim that some have already been jailed – one former senator, and two incumbent senators – but for the Filipino people, that’s not it. Yes, these senators have to be held liable, but people know they are not the most guilty in the flood control corruption,” ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said.

“The most important question now is: what if the so-called biggest fish is President Marcos himself?” he asked. “Where are the big fish, one year into the flood control corruption probe?”

In a statement, Tinio also warned that the current state of investigations reveals a “deeply flawed and biased system of accountability driven by political loyalties rather than genuine justice.”

“Now, we can see and understand why. There seems to be selective prosecution, and they also seem selective in holding those accountable that is based on political ties – whether an ally or foe of the administration. That is what the public sees, and that is their perception,” Tinio explained.

“This simply means that there will be no more real accountability if the President himself will not be made liable,” the deputy minority leader added, noting that trillions have been squandered, “yet the principal architects of the flood control corruption remain untouched.”

Tinio noted that the “public is well aware that pinning down high-ranking officials like former speaker (Martin Romualdez) or former Senate president (Francis Escudero), or his own DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) secretary (Manuel Bonoan), would inevitably implicate the Chief Executive.”

While acknowledging the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte – a move long demanded by the public to seek accountability for the misuse of confidential funds, undeclared wealth, and public death threats, Tinio said that “this alone will not erase the stigma of selective justice.” 

Meanwhile, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco dared Marcos to prosecute allies who have also squandered the public coffers, as he accused him of merely eliminating political foes.