Malacañang emphasized on Monday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has no authority to interfere in the Office of the Ombudsman’s ongoing investigation into alleged flood control project anomalies, citing the constitutional independence of the anti-graft agency.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the Ombudsman must be granted full autonomy to conduct its probe free from executive influence.
She urged the public to let the independent body complete its comprehensive review through established legal procedures.
Castro cautioned against rushing the filing of charges while evidence is still being evaluated, warning that hasty legal actions often result in weak cases that risk dismissal in court.
She expressed confidence that the Ombudsman will ensure any filed complaints are backed by solid evidence.
Given the vast volume of documents and records requiring thorough scrutiny, Castro stressed that despite demands for swift action, adhering to due process and conducting a meticulous investigation remain essential to building airtight cases.