President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has issued a stern warning, assuring the public that individuals charged with irregularities in flood control projects will be imprisoned before Christmas this year.
No Merry Christmas for the Accused
Directly addressing 37 individuals, including lawmakers, former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and private contractors, the President declared they would have 'No Merry Christmas.' This development follows the submission of case referrals by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The cases involve serious allegations concerning government funds originally intended for public protection from floods—a recurring tragedy in the country. The accused include former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara, as well as Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya.
Charges and Key Exclusions
The filed charges are severe, encompassing graft and corruption, malversation of public funds, falsification, and plunder. However, the President clarified that his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co are not included in this specific case.
President Marcos stated that there is currently no concrete evidence linking them to the alleged irregularities in the flood control projects. While Zaldy Co, identified as one of the alleged masterminds behind insertions in the 2025 national budget, has not yet been formally charged, the President clarified that Co's passport has not been cancelled.
A Pillar of Accountability and Justice
President Marcos firmly assured that each case is built on sufficient evidence and is robust enough to stand until the very end to ensure justice is served. He emphasized that his administration will not file cases that could be dismissed by the court due to legal technicalities.
The government's current campaign to cleanse the system is centered on three key pillars:
- Imprisonment of those involved.
- Recovery of stolen public money.
- Implementation of reforms to prevent the recurrence of such anomalies.
Ultimately, the President's statements serve as a serious warning to all government officials and private individuals who seek to exploit public funds. The government's balancing act between swift judgment before the holidays and ensuring a solid, evidence-based case that will not be dismissed remains a critical part of this anti-corruption campaign. The eyes of the nation are upon them, waiting for the promise of accountability to translate into tangible action.
