Metro Manila, Philippines- Malacañang rejected remarks that Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was a scapegoat in the flood control controversy, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains neutral and that the case should be decided based on evidence.

Palace press officer Claire Castro dismissed suggestions that Marcos had “dropped” his cousin and former close political ally after Romualdez was charged with plunder, a non-bailable offense.

“Hindi ko gusto iyong word na ‘nilaglag.’ So, kung may mga kritikong nagsasabing nilaglag, hindi namin nais gamitin ang word na nilaglag,” Castro said during a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Sept.9.

[Translation: I don’t like the word “dropped.” If critics are saying that he was dropped, that is not a term we want to use.]

Castro said the Office of the Ombudsman filed the case based on evidence, arguing that political relationships should not determine accountability.

“Walang dapat nilalaglag dito. Kung ano lang iyong ebidensiya na nandidiyan, iyon lang, doon lang tayo bumase, dahil ang Pangulo po sa mga bagay na ganyan ay neutral. Proseso, batas at walang dapat na gawa-gawang ebidensiya,” she said.

[Translation: No one should be made a fall guy here. We should base everything only on the evidence available because the President remains neutral on matters like this. We follow the process and the law, and there should be no fabricated evidence.”]

Romualdez, the president’s cousin, has been described by critics as among the biggest political figures implicated in the flood control controversy. He allegedly plundered ₱7.4 billion, the amount declared in the charge sheet with the Sandiganbayan.

Castro said the president’s emotions were irrelevant to the case.

“Ang pakiramdam po ng pangulo, personal ay hindi naman po siguro ito dapat na alamin natin. Ang kailangan lang po dito ay dapat mapanagot, ang dapat na mapanagot,” Castro said.

[Translation: “The president’s personal feelings are probably not something we need to know. What matters here is that those who should be held accountable are held accountable.”]

“Hindi na po siguro makakaapekto kung anuman ang damdamin ng pangulo, masaya, malungkot, anuman, hindi na po siya importante. Ang importante po dito ay gumagawa ang ating hustisya,” she added.

[Translation: Whatever the president may be feeling, whether he is happy, sad or anything else, should no longer matter. What is important is that our justice system is working.]

Malacañang said Romualdez should identify others involved if he has evidence.