Malacañang dismissed criticism that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. failed to deliver on his promise to jail those behind alleged flood control anomalies before Christmas, insisting enforcement actions are already mounting.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that the President never identified individuals when he warned some would not have a “merry Christmas,” but pointed to arrests, warrants, and the return of kickbacks within just four months.
“Sa mahigit na apat na buwan, may mga nakulong, may mga warrants of arrest na na-issue, may mga nagtago, mayroong nakikipag-usap at isinosoli ang karamihan sa kanilang mga kickbacks na hindi naganap, never na nangyari sa anumang administrasyon,” Castro said.
She added that Marcos’ remark had already been fulfilled by those who spent the holidays behind bars.
“Yung mga nakulong po, definitely hindi naging merry ang kanilang Christmas,” she said.
Castro emphasized the crackdown is ongoing, with key rulings still awaited from the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.
“Hinihintay din po ng Pangulo ang magiging resolusyon ng Ombudsman at DOJ… hindi pa po natatapos ang termino ng Pangulo. Marami pa po ang mangyayari,” she said.
On the Inter-Agency Committee investigating the anomalies, Castro said no replacements have been named yet, but the panel continues its work.
“Sa kasalukuyan po nagtatrabaho pa rin ang mga nasa ICI… Patuloy pa rin po ang pag-iimbestiga,” she added, noting the Ombudsman’s commitment to sustain and accelerate the probe.