By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is calling for the people’s cooperation in helping stamp out corruption in government, Malacañang said Saturday, emphasizing that the Chief Executive shares the public’s frustration over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
“Nais din ng Pangulo na ang taumbayan ay makipagtulungan sa gobyerno para matigil na ang pag aabuso na ito (The President also calls on the people to cooperate with the government to put an end to this abuse),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a statement.
Castro issued the statement ahead of the Sept. 21 rallies against the alleged misuse of funds in flood control projects.
She said Marcos has ordered an extensive investigation into flood control anomalies to hold accountable the individuals responsible for the questionable projects.
She maintained that protesters are free to express their sentiments, so long as they do not violate the law.
“Si Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay palaging rerespeto sa karapatang pantao (President Marcos Jr. always upholds human rights),” Castro said in a statement.
“Naririnig at nararamdaman ng Pangulo ang pagkadismaya ng taumbayan at iyon ay kanyang nararamdaman rin (The President hears and feels the people’s frustration and he shares the same sentiment).”
She also advised the public to be discerning and vigilant, warning against individuals who would attempt to use the legitimate cause “to discredit the government and advance their own personal interests.”
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), formed by Marcos, conducted its first hearing into the anomalous flood control projects on Friday, summoning dismissed public works assistant engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, who was allegedly involved in the controversy.
The hearing resulted in the turnover of Hernandez’s luxury vehicle, a GMC Yukon Denali sports utility vehicle reportedly worth PHP16 million in the Philippines.
Hernandez is also expected to surrender a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.
Freeze order
Meanwhile, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured a freeze order to seize the assets of individuals and contractors linked to the anomalous flood control projects.
The AMLC secured the freeze order from the Court of Appeals on Friday, covering 592 bank accounts, three insurance policies, 73 motor vehicles, and 18 real properties belonging to those involved in the controversy.
“The sheer magnitude of assets involved reflects the alarming scope of corruption tied to these flood control projects,” AMLC Executive Director Matthew David said in a statement.
“This freeze order marks another step toward the filing of appropriate civil and criminal cases against those found to have laundered illicit proceeds.”
The latest development followed an earlier AMLC order that froze 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies of individuals and corporations following a request from the Department of Public Works and Highways. (PNA)
