The Palace has reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is prepared to submit himself to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) should he be summoned or investigated over alleged misuse of public funds.
In an interview with GMA News, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the President himself initiated the disclosure of the issue, confident that he has done nothing wrong.
“Of course, iyon naman ang gusto ng Pangulo,” Castro said when asked if Marcos Jr. would submit to the ICI.
When pressed further on whether the President would face an investigation if called, Castro replied,
“Kung mayroong naipi-pinpoint sa kaniya sasagot ang Pangulo. Bakit, kasi ito lang naman eh minsan logic eh, hindi naman io-open ng Pangulo ang issue na ito kung alam niya na tatamaan siya. Alam niya sa sarili niya na wala siyang ginawang mali at kailangang maimbestigahan ito para malaman ng taumbayan ito po ang nangyari sa pondo.”
Castro emphasized that Marcos Jr. is willing to face scrutiny even if the investigation implicates his administration, political allies, or relatives.
“So, handa po tayo kahit tamaan iyong kaniyang administrasyon, kahit tamaan iyong kaniyang mga kaalyado o kamag-anak, kailangan pong makita ng tao at dahil dito ayan na po iyan po ang nagiging resulta. At kumbaga dahil sa pagbubunyag ng Pangulo dito nabukas ang utak natin, ang mata natin na talaga pala inaabuso ng mga makapangyarihan itong pondong ng bayan at iyon iyong gustong labanan ng Pangulo,” she said.
Former congressman Zaldy Co has accused Marcos Jr. of receiving billions in kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects and budget insertions, allegations the President has strongly denied and dismissed as lies.
Co claimed in a video that he personally delivered ₱200 million on December 2, 2024, and ₱800 million on December 5, 2024, to Justice Undersecretary Jose Cadiz Jr., whom he described as Marcos Jr.’s “bagman.” He said this was done under the direct orders of then-Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In another video statement, Co alleged that Marcos Jr. and Romualdez received up to ₱56 billion in kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects, disputing earlier claims that only ₱21 billion was pocketed.
Co further alleged that Marcos Jr. personally received ₱25 billion from supposed insertions in the proposed 2025 national budget, part of what he described as ₱100 billion in irregular allocations.
The President has categorically denied Co’s allegations, calling them baseless and “lies.” He challenged Co to return to the Philippines and testify under oath rather than releasing videos abroad.
He also claimed that Co attempted to blackmail him by offering to stop releasing videos if his passport would not be canceled. The President said he does not deal with “criminals”.
Co himself faces a warrant of arrest, along with 15 others, for graft and malversation of public funds linked to an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. (ZIA LUNA)
