Metro Manila, Philippines – The investigation on alleged anomalous flood control projects will continue despite a key witness backing out of his testimony that essentially tagged the president’s cousin as beneficiary of kickbacks, Malacañang said Thursday, Aug. 20.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was aware of Orly Guteza’s recantation of his sworn statement that named Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, but had no reaction.
“Parte ito ng balita kagabi, so hindi naman po nahuhuli ang pangulo sa mga balita at wala siyang reaksiyon na ibinigay sa atin,” Castro said
[Translation: This was part of the news last night, so the president is aware of the developments, but he has not given us any reaction.]
Castro said authorities must rely on evidence and testimony that can withstand scrutiny.
“Ang nais naman po ng pangulo ay laging ayon sa batas, hindi gawa-gawang ebidensiya. Kung totoong mapapatunayan na siya ay gumawa lang ng mga kuwento, hindi naman din ito makakabuti sa pagpo-pursue sa mga tao na dapat managot,” Castro said.
[Translation: What the president wants is for everything to be in accordance with the law, not based on fabricated evidence. If it is proven that he merely made up stories, this would not help in pursuing those accountable.]
Castro said false testimony could instead undermine efforts to build cases.
“Ang kailangan po ng pamahalaan, kailangan ng Ombudsman, kailangan ng DOJ, ng mga investigating bodies natin, ay totoong salaysay,” she said.
[Translation: What the government, the ombudsman, the Department of Justice and our investigating bodies need are truthful statements.]
“Kung sila naman po ay magsasabi ng kwento, salaysay na walang katotohanan, mas makakasira siya sa paghabol sa mga tao na dapat managot; mas hindi siya magiging epektibo,” she added.
[Translation: If they give stories or statements that are not true, it will only hurt efforts to pursue those who should be held accountable and make the investigation less effective.]
The Palace said the government probe on the controversy is unaffected by the development.
“Tuluy-tuloy pa rin po. At ang Ombudsman, ang sabi po niya, ang Office of the Ombudsman pati naman po ang DOJ ay tuluy-tuloy sa pag-iimbestiga,” Castro said.
(Translation: It will continue. The Office of the Ombudsman and the DOJ are continuing their investigations.)
