MANILA — Malacañang assured the public that the rule of law remains strong in the Philippines, with due process observed in all legal proceedings, amid the investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized this during a press briefing, noting that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered that due process must be followed in all legal processes.

“Muli ang gusto ng Pangulo laging due process, kaya siguro nagtagal ang ibang pagsasampa ng kaso dahil kinakailangan igalang ang due process,” Castro said.

Castro was asked to comment on former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s complaint of lack of due process after the issuance of an arrest warrant against him. Revilla was accused by a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official of receiving kickbacks in exchange for endorsing flood control projects.

“Kung iyan ang naging opinyon ng dating Senador Bong Revilla, malamang gagamitin niya iyan bilang kaniyang depensa. So, kung ganiyan iyong paniniwala niya kailangan din naman niya itong idepensa or panindigan at magbigay siya ng mga ebidensiya,” Castro said.

Castro also assured that recent changes in the composition of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) would not affect the ongoing investigation. With former Supreme Court Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. at the helm, the ICI remains fully capable of carrying out its mandate and reporting its findings to the President.

“Hindi talaga ito makakaapekto sa pag-iimbestiga, sa patuloy na pag-iimbestiga ng anomalya sa flood control projects. Kahit sabihin natin na nag-iisa lamang si Justice Reyes, sinabi nating kumpleto na malamang ang mga ebidensiya, at magri-report naman sila sa Pangulo,” Castro said.

The ICI was created as a fact-finding committee to launch the investigation, with the President considering additional appointments only after reviewing the Commission’s report.

“Titingnan ng Pangulo kung kinakailangan pang mag-appoint ng panibagong miyembro ng ICI… Titingnan muna kung ano ang magiging report ng ICI, at doon titingnan kung ano iyong susunod na hakbang,” Castro explained.

Castro noted that aside from the ICI, other agencies—including the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ), with support from law enforcement—are actively involved in the investigation.

“Sila ay masigasig ding nag-iimbestiga patungkol sa mga korapsyon so hindi masasabi na nawawalan ng pag-asa ang taumbayan para siyasatin ang mga ganitong klaseng anomalya,” she added.