MANILA—Malacañang assured the business community that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is taking active steps to combat corruption while promoting transparency and accountability within government institutions.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro outlined the Marcos administration’s ongoing measures against corruption.

Castro said the government has launched the Sumbong sa Pangulo website and established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) through Executive Order No. 94 to investigate irregularities in flood control and other infrastructure projects.

She also cited recent government actions, including the issuance of freeze orders on the assets of individuals implicated in corruption cases, the release of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBOs), and the recommendation to file charges against former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.

“So, marami na pong nagawa at marami pa pong iniimbestigahan. Nararamdaman po ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon ang mga nararamdaman ng mga businessmen kaya po patuloy ang ginagawang pag-iimbestiga at patuloy ang pagpapabilis ng aksyon para po mapanagot ang dapat na mapanagot,” Castro said.

She also urged critics to stop spreading false narratives that undermine the ICI’s integrity.

“Siguro ang hiling na lamang po natin doon sa mga obstructionists na gumagawa na lang ng iba’t ibang kuwento para sirain ang integridad ng ICI, bawasan nila ito o hintuan na nila dahil hindi po ito nakakatulong sa ekonomiya,” she said.

On calls to grant the ICI more authority, Castro said President Marcos supports legislative efforts to strengthen the commission as long as these benefit the public.

“Mas maganda po talaga na magkaroon ng mas ngipin, pangil ang ICI. Pero sa ngayon po, nakikita naman po natin na maganda ang itinatakbo ng ICI,” she added.

The statement came after major business organizations in the country urged the President to take swift and decisive action against corruption.