Malacañang has reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to hold all responsible parties accountable in the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects, stressing that the probe is not limited to any single individual.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Tuesday that the inquiry into anomalous flood control deals should not be confined to former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who is facing graft and malversation charges over a reported P289.5-million project in Oriental Mindoro.
“Ang managot ay dapat na managot… hindi po umiikot ang flood control mess or investigation kay Zaldy Co lamang,” Castro said, adding that other individuals may also be implicated as the investigation continues.
She noted that initial findings and reports suggest possible irregularities in projects dating back to 2018 and 2020, prior to the Marcos administration, indicating that the scope of the probe may extend beyond recent developments.
Castro emphasized that the government remains focused on uncovering the full extent of the alleged anomalies and ensuring that those responsible are held to account, regardless of timing or position.
She also underscored assurances from the administration that ongoing and planned flood control projects will be strictly reviewed to prevent the recurrence of corruption and “ghost” infrastructure schemes.
The Palace said priority flood mitigation projects will continue to be included in the 2027 national budget, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent inspection of a rehabilitation project in Cebu.
Castro said future funding will depend on project legitimacy and necessity, with safeguards in place to prevent the release of funds for non-existent or improperly implemented projects.
The Department of Budget and Management, she added, will withhold funding for projects that fail to meet compliance and implementation standards as part of tighter oversight measures.
Malacañang said the administration remains committed to transparency and accountability in infrastructure spending, particularly in flood control systems intended to protect vulnerable communities.