via Elija Philip Lutawan, Zane Bennet Nigel E. Munda
Malacañang has called on the public to stay calm amid growing calls for accountability over alleged corruption involving the government’s flood control projects.
“Kalma lang (Calm down),” said Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro on Tuesday, October 14. She assured the public that investigations into corruption cases—particularly those involving the alleged multi-billion peso flood control fund irregularities—are already underway, and that charges will be filed once the process is complete.
Castro emphasized that fighting corruption requires time and due process, saying it cannot be rushed.
“Hindi po kasi ito nadadaan sa agad-agaran (This cannot be done hastily). As a lawyer who personally handles cases and appears in court, I know how evidence must be properly presented,” she explained.
She warned against rushing cases merely for the sake of statistics.
“Hindi po ito nadadaan sa pabilisan (This cannot be done through haste). If we do, we might have impressive statistics—many cases filed—but la im ter all get dismissed,” she said. “Ano po ba ang mas hindi n’yo matatanggap—ang magsampa ng kaso pero ma-dismiss dahil kulang sa ebidensya (What would be worse: filing cases that end up dismissed for lack of evidence)?”
Based on a Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from September 25 to 30, about 60 percent of respondents said they feel anger and outrage when thinking about corruption in the government, especially in flood control projects. Around 30 percent expressed fear or anxiety, while 9 percent said they felt disappointed or sad.
Castro encouraged the public to let the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) finish its investigation and documentation so that stronger and more credible cases can be filed.
She asked for patience, emphasizing that the process is already ongoing.
“Kung hindi ito sinimulan ng Pangulo, sino pav (If the President had not initiated this, who else would)?” she stated. Castro assured that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is committed to holding accountable those responsible, calling this effort “one of the fastest and most transparent disclosures” of alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Meanwhile, Castro mentioned that President Marcos is not alarmed by the recent decline in his approval ratings. A Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan survey showed that the administration’s rating dropped between June and September 2025, with corruption and inflation emerging as the public’s top concerns.
The same survey revealed that many Filipinos remain unsatisfied with how the government is addressing issues such as poverty reduction (57%), illegal drugs (61%), rising inflation (64%), and corruption (69%).
Castro reassured the public that the President is aware of and listens to their sentiments.
“Hayaan lang po nating magtuloy-tuloy ang proseso (Let us allow the process to continue). The President will not ignore the people’s voices,” she said. “Magtiwala lang po tayo sa ating Pangulo at sa pamahalaang Marcos Jr. dahil ito ay lumalaban sa corruption (Let us trust President Marcos and his administration because they are committed to fighting corruption).”
