(Manila, 6th – Integrated News) Philippine President Marcos stated that his administration will not act hastily while investigating the multi-billion peso anti-flood infrastructure scandal, emphasizing that proceeding with unprepared cases may instead undermine the government’s anti-corruption campaign.
In response to public calls for the immediate arrest of those involved, Marcos stressed that mere accusations and testimonies are not enough to stand up in court; solid evidence is required.
"We all know that some people are indeed not innocent. But if we want to bring them to court, we must ensure the cases are solid and robust," he said in the latest podcast preview released on Sunday.
He added in Filipino: "If we rush to prosecute but the evidence is incomplete or unclear, and the cases end up being dismissed, wouldn’t that be even worse?"
The President emphasized that the government must act according to the law and ensure that the truly guilty are investigated.
"We must obey the law, otherwise everything we do has no legality. We must make it very clear that we only take action against those who are truly guilty."
To thoroughly investigate the case, Marcos earlier established the "Independent Infrastructure Probe Committee" dedicated to investigating suspected fraudulent public construction projects, especially flood-control works, within the past decade.
It is reported that since its establishment nearly a month ago, the Independent Infrastructure Probe Committee has held closed-door hearings and summoned several government officials and contractors to testify. The results of the investigation will form the basis for prosecution.
Marcos previously stated in a podcast that once the Independent Infrastructure Probe Committee completes its investigation, the government will severely punish the "big fish" involved, vowing to get to the bottom of what he called "one of the most rampant corruption scandals in recent years."
"We all know that some people are indeed not innocent. But if we want to bring them to court, we must ensure the cases are solid and robust," he said in the latest podcast preview released on Sunday.
He added in Filipino: "If we rush to prosecute but the evidence is incomplete or unclear, and the cases end up being dismissed, wouldn’t that be even worse?"
The President emphasized that the government must act according to the law and ensure that the truly guilty are investigated.
"We must obey the law, otherwise everything we do has no legality. We must make it very clear that we only take action against those who are truly guilty."
To thoroughly investigate the case, Marcos earlier established the "Independent Infrastructure Probe Committee" dedicated to investigating suspected fraudulent public construction projects, especially flood-control works, within the past decade.
It is reported that since its establishment nearly a month ago, the Independent Infrastructure Probe Committee has held closed-door hearings and summoned several government officials and contractors to testify. The results of the investigation will form the basis for prosecution.
Marcos previously stated in a podcast that once the Independent Infrastructure Probe Committee completes its investigation, the government will severely punish the "big fish" involved, vowing to get to the bottom of what he called "one of the most rampant corruption scandals in recent years."