Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday warned that several individuals implicated in the massive flood control corruption scandal could face jail time before Christmas.
During a briefing at Malacañang on Thursday, Nov. 13, Marcos said investigators have built solid cases against some of those involved in corrupt practices.
“Alam ko bago mag-Pasko, ilan sa mga napangalanan dito, matatapos na ito, buo na ang kaso, makukulong na sila. Wala silang Merry Christmas,” he said.
[Translation: I know that before Christmas, some of those named here, their cases will be completed, and they will be jailed. There will be no Merry Christmas for them.]
The president said the government’s focus is on accountability, recovery of stolen funds, and preventing future corruption.
“Yung tatlong tinutukan natin na bagay: Una, mapapanagot ang mga kasama rito sa korapsyon; pangalawa, mababawi ng gobyerno ang pera na ninakaw nila; pangatlo, gumawa tayo ng reporma para hindi na ito maulit,” Marcos said.
[Translation: We’re focusing on three things: first, holding accountable those involved in corruption; second, recovering the money stolen from the government; and third, implementing reforms to prevent this from happening again.]
He warned that individuals allegedly involved in fraudulent flood control projects cannot evade accountability.
“’Yung mga taong ‘yan na kasabwat diyan sa nagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan — tapos na ang maliligaya ninyong araw. Hahabulin namin kayo,” he said.
[Translation: Those people who conspired to steal the people’s money — your happy days are over. We will go after you.]
Marcos also emphasized that all cases will be supported by sufficient evidence to avoid dismissals.The statement comes three months after Marcos ordered a nationwide probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects following his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Public reports submitted through the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, which has received over 20,000 tips, aided the investigation.
