Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rejected the offer of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to spearhead the probe into the alleged corruption in flood control projects, saying there is no need to appoint a lead investigator.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already set mechanisms for the investigation through the Regional Project Monitoring Committees (RPMC).“Unang-una po, naibigay na po ng ating mahal na Pangulo ang mekanismo o sistema kung papaano ito maimbestigahan at nagbigay na nga rin po siya ng direktiba sa Regional Project Monitoring Committees,” Castro said in a Palace briefing on Thursday.[Translation: First of all, our beloved President has already provided the mechanism or system on how this will be investigated, and he has also given directives to the Regional Project Monitoring Committees.] Castro said any information Magalong has should be submitted directly to the president, especially if it is complete and supported by evidence.“Kung anuman po ang mayroon siya, kung ito po ay kumpleto ay maaari niya po itong maisumite agad-agad sa ating Pangulo para iyong sinasabi po nilang 67 congressmen at mukhang sila ay identified na ni Mayor Magalong, hindi po ba mas magandang maibigay na niya ang report na ito sa ating Pangulo? At kung kinakailangan maidemanda o makasuhan nang may sapat na ebidensiya, agad-agad na rin po itong dapat gawin,” she said.[Translation: If he has information, and if it is complete, he can submit it immediately to the President. Regarding the 67 congressmen that Mayor Magalong seems to have identified, wouldn’t it be better if he gave this report to the president? And if there is a need to file charges with sufficient evidence, this should be done right away.] Magalong earlier urged Marcos to appoint a lead investigator for the probe into alleged anomalies in flood control and infrastructure projects, claiming the corruption is “widespread” and “highly organized.”He has also alleged that some lawmakers receive 30-40 percent in kickbacks from these projects.Castro said if Magalong also has evidence on other issues he has mentioned in interviews, such as irregularities in “rock netting” and “cat’s eyes” installations, he should file charges immediately.“Mas maganda rin po sana at nababanggit niya ang tungkol sa ‘rock netting’ at ‘cat’s eyes’ ay mas maganda rin po na kung mayroon po siyang alam dito ay maidemanda na agad dahil mukhang… marami na po siyang nalalaman,” she said.
