MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to holding accountable those responsible for irregularities in flood control projects, while trusting the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and other relevant government agencies to continue investigations and file cases when warranted.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing that President Marcos is deferring to the ICI investigation but emphasized that the administration stands ready to provide support to the Commission’s work.

“Kung ano ang nais ng ICI, according to the President, kung ano ang nais nilang gawin at gusto pa nilang magpatuloy, sabihin lamang nila sa Pangulo at susuportahan sila,” Castro said.

The President reiterated that accountability must be upheld while allowing the appropriate institutions to carry out their mandates in probing flood control projects.

“Unang-una, noon pa niya sinabi, lahat ng sangkot ay dapat mapanagot,” Castro said.

“Ang pag-iimbestiga ay iniwan niya sa kamay ng ICI. Ang mga dokumento na dapat aralin at kung dapat sinong kasuhan, iniwan niya na rin sa Department of Public Works and Highways. Nandyan din at nangako ang Ombudsman na sila ay magpapatuloy sa pag-iimbestiga, pati ang Department of Justice,” she added.

Castro noted that the President does not intervene in the work of the ICI, given its independent mandate, but any recommendations from the Commission will be submitted to him.

“Nandiyan rin ang patuloy na pagpapaimbestiga sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects. Pero ang nais ng Pangulo ngayon, ang gusto niya tutukan ay ang pag-angat ng ekonomiya ng bansa,” she said.

“Ang tungkol sa flood control projects, hayaan na natin sa mga mag-iimbestiga, at kung nakasuhan na, hayaan na natin ito sa korte at sa Sandiganbayan,” Castro added.

The Palace Press Officer said the Chief Executive remains focused on broader governance priorities, particularly measures to strengthen the country’s economic growth.

“Ang gusto niyang tutukan at mai-discuss sa inyo ay kung paano niya maiaangat ang buhay ng Pilipino. Mas magandang pag-usapan kung anuman ang plano niya patungkol sa ekonomiya ng bansa,” she stressed.