Palace: Flood control cases must not be publicity-driven

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (Courtesy: RTVM / Screenshot)

Malacañang on Tuesday said the filing of cases over alleged irregularities in flood control projects should not be driven by publicity, saying complaints must undergo careful evaluation and legal scrutiny.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration does not support the hasty filing of charges for media attention amid calls to pursue complaints against certain officials.

“The filing of cases is studied and thoroughly reviewed, and not just for media attention—unlike what some noisy individuals do, which does not help in investigating and holding those responsible accountable,” Castro said.

The Palace issued the statement when asked to comment on plans to file charges against former Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Francis Escudero in connection with flood control issues.

Castro noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. initiated the investigation into allegedly anomalous flood control projects and is committed to holding those found liable accountable.

“We all know that President Marcos Jr. led the investigation into allegedly anomalous flood control projects and wants those responsible to be held accountable,” she said.

“(But) evidence will be the basis, and due process is what’s needed,” Castro said, adding that accountability must be anchored on solid evidence capable of withstanding legal scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday served a subpoena duces tecum directing House Secretary-General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil to submit the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of former House Deputy Secretary-General Sofonias Ponce Gabonada Jr.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the document had been “served and received by the House,” noting that Gabonada had become a person of interest in the investigation into alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects.

“He has become a person of interest in our investigation… He has become somewhat central to our probe. Let us just say Gabonada knows a lot,” Clavano told reporters.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla formally requested the documents as part of a thorough probe into alleged infrastructure project anomalies, saying Gabonada’s SALN could help determine whether there had been undeclared wealth or financial irregularities.

The subpoena required submission within three days of the lawmaker’s SALNs from the start of his service in the House to the present, along with certification from the records custodian. — Charles Dantes & Pot Chavez