The Makabayan Bloc in Congress has denounced what it calls the Marcos administration’s “escape hatch” strategy of using resignations to shield officials implicated in corruption scandals—officials who, they argue, could directly link President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to kickbacks and questionable transactions.
The latest example, they said, is the resignation of Department of Justice Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz, whom they described not as an ordinary bureaucrat but a trusted ally of the President. Cadiz, a former Senate staff member of Marcos Jr., is now accused of acting as a bagman for kickbacks and maintaining ties with contractors operating in Northern Philippines.
“His proximity to power and his alleged role in corruption schemes point directly to Malacañang,” the progressive lawmakers declared.
Makabayan stressed that resignation is not accountability but a cover-up. They argued that Cadiz’s departure only reinforces their long-standing suspicion that corruption in the current administration reaches the highest levels, implicating the President’s inner circle and possibly the President himself.
“We reject this administration’s strategy of damage control through resignation,” the bloc stated.
The group insisted that Cadiz, along with other officials such as Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, must face thorough investigation. Their connections to contractors, their roles in anomalous transactions, and most importantly, their links to President Marcos Jr. should be fully examined.
Makabayan further warned against the President washing his hands of responsibility while his officials resign one by one amid corruption scandals.
“The pattern is clear: when officials become liabilities, they are made to resign before they can testify and expose the President’s involvement. This is not accountability—this is a cover-up,” the bloc said.
The lawmakers called for an immediate investigation into all Cabinet members implicated in the flood control scandal, naming Bersamin, Pangandaman, Bonoan, Cadiz, and others. Failure to do so, they argued, would mean Malacañang is engaged in cover-up and selective prosecution rather than genuine transparency and accountability.
“The Filipino people deserve clear answers, not convenient exits. The Marcos administration cannot continue to hide behind resignations while the stench of corruption emanates from the very seat of power,” Makabayan stressed. (RRN)
