Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Monday questioned the supposed estimate made by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on the number of individuals who may face charges in the flood control projects corruption scandal.
Speaking at a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) press briefing on October 20, Castro reacted with amusement to Remulla’s remark that around 200 people could be implicated in the ongoing probe.
“200 lang talaga? Tingnan po natin, kasi hindi pa naman po tapos ‘yong imbestigasyon. Kung ganiyan, sa tingin niya, nae-estimate niya, ready naman po ang gobyerno kung sila ay dapat na makulong,” Castro said with a slight laugh.
She added that it was too early to make assumptions since the investigation is still ongoing, noting that some of the potential cases might even be bailable depending on the findings.
“Baka naman may pagkakataon na ‘yong mga kasong maisasampa ay puwede namang… matatawag na bailable. So, tingnan po natin,” she added.
Castro also responded to questions regarding the “first round of indictment” reportedly set to take place within the next three weeks.
“‘Yan din po naman ang pangako ng ICI, na magkakaroon po ng mabilisang pagsasampa ng kaso. Nagkakaroon lang po talaga ng pag-iipon ng mga ebidensya,” she explained, referring to the Inter-Agency Commission of Investigation (ICI) handling the case.
The Palace official emphasized that the administration wants to ensure that the cases filed will stand in court.
“Para hindi naman po malabnaw ‘yong mga kasong isasampa nila, at baka ma-dismiss lamang po, sayang po ang effort sa kanilang mga ginawa kung madi-dismiss lang po agad,” she said.
It may be recalled that Secretary Jonvic Remulla conducted an inspection of the New Quezon City Jail Facility on Monday, October 20, where some of those involved in the multi-billion-peso flood control scam could possibly be detained once charges are filed.