Malacañang on Monday defended the Marcos administration’s anti-corruption drive, saying key government agencies have not been idle in pursuing accountability over anomalous flood control projects.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement amid renewed calls for accountability during Sunday’s White Ribbon March, as some groups questioned why more “big fish” have yet to be held responsible nearly a year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. exposed alleged irregularities in flood control projects during his 2025 State of the Nation Address.
Castro said the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Public Works and Highways have continued working on cases related to the controversy.
“Hindi naman din po nagpapahinga ang Ombudsman, ang DOJ pati ang DPWH para mapanagot ang lahat ng dapat na managot. Mayroon na po naman na nasampahan ng kaso,” Castro said.
“The Ombudsman, the DOJ, and the DPWH are not resting in their efforts to hold accountable everyone who should be held liable. Cases have already been filed against some individuals,” she added.
Castro cited the filing of charges, the arrest of a former senator and an incumbent senator, and the freezing of assets of individuals linked to the alleged flood control anomalies as among the steps already taken by the government.
She clarified, however, that those currently detained in connection with the cases have not been convicted and that their guilt or innocence will still be determined by the courts.
“So, sana po ay makita nila ito at huwag namang sabihing walang ginagawa ang gobyerno dahil wala pang isang taon pero marami na po ang nagawa kung ikukumpara sa mga nakaraang administrasyon,” Castro said.
“I hope they see this and not say that the government is doing nothing, because it has been less than a year, but much has already been done compared to previous administrations,” she added.
In his 2025 SONA, Marcos said millions of pesos in public funds had been lost to ghost projects, incomplete or substandard infrastructure, and kickbacks in government flood control projects.