President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured the public that their welfare will remain the government’s foremost concern, even if individuals close to him are implicated in irregularities involving flood control projects.
Speaking at a press conference in Malacañang’s Kalayaan Hall, Marcos emphasized that the government will thoroughly investigate questionable projects but will avoid rushing to judgment without solid evidence.
“This is something that is, I think, absolutely necessary. We have to clean our ranks,” the President said during the launch of the ‘Sumbong sa Pangulo’ website.
“It might be a little painful. Baka masangkot diyan ‘yung mga tao na malapit sa atin. Ngunit kahit malapit sila sa atin, mas malapit naman siguro sa puso natin ‘yung taong-bayan kaya sila ang uunahin natin,” he added.
The President unveiled sumbongsapangulo.ph, a platform where citizens can directly report irregularities in flood control projects, and shared initial findings from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) review of existing projects under his administration.
Marcos called on officials to be cautious in making corruption accusations without sufficient proof, stressing that the ongoing review will involve several agencies, including the Department of Development (DEPDev), the DPWH, and the Office of the President.
He underscored that public participation is key to the audit, encouraging citizens to actively use the new reporting system.
“Ngayon mayroon na kayong malalapitan. Ito, ang lalapitan na ngayon ninyo, ako mismo. Dahil ako ang titingin dito araw-araw sa website natin at babasahin ko ang report na ibibigay ng taumbayan,” Marcos said.
