Malacañang Speaks on Stand of Pres. Bongbong Marcos over Rallies vs. Corruption
BONGBONG MARCOS – The Palace said the President will not block lawful protest actions by the people against corruption.
The flood control mess in the Philippines sparked protests among the Filipino people. Last September 21, the so-called “Trillion Peso March” was held and gathered thousands of Filipinos to call for an end to corruption.
Recently, there were several rallies held. Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga even led the anti-Marcos rally outside the Forbes Park in Makati City. They called for the resignation of Pres. Bongbong Marcos amid the flood control issue in the country.
Barzaga also previously claimed that he is allegedly set to file an impeachment complaint against the President. He wants to sue him for alleged betrayal of public trust amid the supposed multi-billion flood control scam in the country.
Several senators and congressmen are accused of alleged flood control corruption. Presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez is one of those accused of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control issue.
Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House speaker amid the flood control corruption accusations against him. Pres. Bongbong Marcos previously claimed that not even his cousin nor his allies will be spared from the flood control probe.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI amid the flood control issue in the Philippines. Recently, Malacañang spoke on the President’s stand over the protest actions after several groups said they will regularly hold rallies against corruption issues surrounding the flood control mess.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Palace said Pres. Bongbong Marcos will not block lawful protest actions. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, the only request of the President is to keep the protest actions law-abiding, otherwise, cases might be filed.
“Kung ang kanilang pagpoprotesta ay naaayon sa batas, hindi naman po iyan pipigilan ng Pangulo. Ang tangi lamang pong hiling ng Pangulo ay kung kayo ay magpoprotesta dapat naaayon sa batas. Kung hindi po ito naaayon sa batas at kayo po ay lumalabag na dapat po siguro kayong kasuhan,” Castro said.
Amid the flood control issue, Marcos Jr. appointed former Justice Secretary Boying Remulla as the next Ombudsman of the country. Ombudsman Remulla said the people can expect that the legal process over the flood control issue will be swift.