President Marcos not naming names yet in flood control mess

MANILA, Philippines — Unlike the Duterte administration, President Marcos won’t release unverified claims on alleged anomalous deals, Malacañang said yesterday, as calls mount for him to expose the public officials behind substandard or ghost flood control projects.

“He won’t release any list that is not verified. If that happened during the previous administration, the President won’t do that,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, Marcos slammed corrupt government personnel for getting kickbacks from subpar or non-existent flood control Unlike the Duterte administration, President Marcos won’t release unverified claims on alleged anomalous deals, Malacañang said yesterday, as calls mount for him to expose the public officials behind substandard or ghost flood control projects.

“He won’t release any list that is not verified. If that happened during the previous administration, the President won’t do that,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, Marcos slammed corrupt government personnel for getting kickbacks from subpar or non-existent flood control projects, saying they should be ashamed – “mahiya naman kayo” – for causing suffering to communities in cyclone-hit areas.

Marcos later disclosed that he already had the names of contractors with record of carrying out substandard projects.

Some quarters, including Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, have urged Marcos to provide more details about the irregularities and have those behind the anomalies named and charged.

Castro said Marcos won’t think twice about filing cases against those who benefited from corruption. However, the President is not in the habit of releasing unverified information just to threaten people, she added.

“For now, no names will be released because the investigation is not yet finished,” she pointed out.

Castro emphasized the importance of verifying facts, as undue haste could affect innocent persons.

“He (Marcos) issued the remark to serve as a warning to make the budget for 2026 more transparent,” she added.

Castro said the probe on anomalous projects would not be limited to flood control structures.

JICA aid

In compliance with Marcos’ order, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sought the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“The DPWH, under the leadership of Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, sought the assistance of the JICA Study Team to fast-track the completion of the pre-feasibility study of each river basin. These will then be developed into full-blown comprehensive analyses, to enable the timely implementation of the Detailed Engineering Designs,” said Public Works Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain.

“These studies and proposed measures in a wholistic approach are anticipated to support integrated water resources management, improve interagency coordination and enhance the overall risk and reduction efforts in Luzon,” Sadain said.

Funds enough

In a podcast interview yesterday, the President said the government has enough funds to bankroll programs as long as its financial resources are used properly.

“The money allocated for classrooms should be used for classrooms,” he said. “If we are really strict and the funds are used properly.”

According to him, the management of the national debt is contingent on how corruption is addressed. — Rainier Allan Ronda