Jamaine Punzalan

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. inspects an alleged "ghost" flood control projects in Baliuag, Bulacan.  Yummie Dingding, PPA Pool/File

Article (news)

MARCOS- FLOOD CONTROL

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176155002007120250820-marcos-flood-control-inspection-baliuag-PPA39.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand &quot;Bongbong&quot; Marcos Jr. inspects an alleged &quot;ghost&quot; flood control projects in Baliuag, Bulacan.  Yummie Dingding, PPA Pool/File </span></span></span></div><p>KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The government has to follow due process and prevent rights violations, Malacanang said Monday after some business and labor groups criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over the alleged slow response to alleged flood control anomalies.</p><p>“Sa mga naiinip, ang pamahalaan po ay nasa tamang pagkilos na naaayon sa batas. Nagmamadali? Yes, minamadali lahat pero hindi natin mamamadali ang lahat pero magba-violate tayo ng batas at ng human rights,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.</p><p>“Kayo rin po ay mabibiktima kapag ka walang due process. So isipin natin, ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan ngayon ay may katungkulan sa due process,” she said in a press briefing on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here in Kuala Lumpur.</p><p>Business groups noted over the weekend that months since Marcos called out flood control anomalies in his State of the Nation Address, “we are told to be content with immigration lookout bulletins for now” instead of hold departure orders.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/10/21/-ang-bagal-biz-group-wants-marcos-admin-to-hasten-probe-on-flood-control-mess-1930">&#x27;Ang bagal&#x27;: Biz group piles pressure on Marcos admin to resolve flood control mess</a></div><p>Castro argued that several actions have been made since the President’s declaration against corruption in his SONA in July.</p><p>“Nandiyan na po ‘yung mga<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/23/amlc-p5-2-b-in-assets-frozen-in-flood-control-probe-2251"> freezing of assets</a> na in-order ng AMLC [Anti-Money Laundering Council], nandyan na rin po ang pagsasampa ng kaso, at nandiyan na rin po ang sinasabi nating immigration lookout bulletin na binigay,” she said.</p><p>“Mas maganda po talaga na ma-explain natin kasi po kapag ka po iba ang naririnig nila, iba ang mga naratibo, maaari talaga silang magkaroon ng hindi tamang pag-uunawa sa nangyayari sa kasalukuyan,” she added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/20/palace-marcos-jr-satisfied-with-gov-t-probe-on-flood-control-mess-1256">Palace: Marcos Jr. satisfied with gov’t probe on flood control mess as biz groups seek stronger ICI</a></div><p>The Palace official also explained that no hold departure order has been issued against individuals implicated in the flood control mess as it is up to the courts.</p><p>“Dapat malaman po nila na lahat po ng ginagawa ngayon ng administrasyon at law enforcement agencies ay naaayon sa batas. Hindi po natin basta-bastang maaaring sabihan ang isang tao na hindi ka pwedeng magbiyahe dahil ‘yan po naman ay lalabag sa batas dahil lahat naman din po tayo ay may freedom of movement,” Castro said.</p><p>Among the groups’ call for “bold concrete actions” is for Marcos to certify as urgent the proposed legislation granting the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) full subpoena and contempt powers and direct it to conduct public hearings.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/22/pangilinan-urges-marcos-jr-to-certify-independent-people-s-commission-bill-as-urgent-1554">Pangilinan urges Marcos Jr. to certify Independent People&#x27;s Commission bill as urgent</a></div><p>However, Castro noted that other bodies can issue subpoenas. </p><p>“Meron o wala man contempt powers ang ICI, makikita po natin na sila naman po ay pinupuntahan ng mga pinapatawag nila,” she added.</p><p>“Ang pag-iimbestiga po, hindi naman po siguro kinakailangan, sa aking pananaw, na magkaroon ng contempt powers dahil marami po ang maaaring magpa-subpoena, at hindi naman po kinakailangan na pag hindi pumunta yung tao, ay bibigyan mo ng punishment na imprisonment,” the official said.</p><p>Meanwhile, House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan Second District Rep. Edgar Erice said the ICI should be legislated with funding, powers, and terms of office specified.</p><p>&quot;Talagang mafu-frustrate lang ang mga mamamayan with the present setup of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Actually, hindi ito independent. Bakit? Kasi it&#x27;s created by the executive department. Yung pondo nito galing sa pangulo. The president can abolish it any time,” Erice said.</p><p>&quot;Ang problema kasi minsan dumadating na sa punto na ‘yung investigation may reach the doorsteps of the executive branch. So talagang kinakailangan na ‘yung ICI must be legislated — created by the legislature with specific funding, with specific powers and term of office para talagang independent siya,” he added.</p><p>— With a report from Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News </p><div><iframe width="923" height="519" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxXFIaXIa9c" title="Bakit pinuntahan ng US embassy ang ICI? Narito ang paliwanag ni Hosaka | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="923" height="519" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3kV4ogRjeS4" title="Protesta sa ICI: Grupo pinanawagang panagutin din sina Bongbong at Sara | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The government has to follow due process and prevent rights violations, Malacanang said Monday after some business and labor groups criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over the alleged slow response to alleged flood control anomalies.</p>

The government has to follow due process and prevent rights violations, Malacanang said Monday after some business and labor groups criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over the alleged slow response to alleged flood control anomalies.

‘Slow’ vs corruption? Palace says gov’t following rule of law, due process

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‘Slow’ vs corruption? Palace says gov’t following rule of law, due process

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 27, 2025 03:30 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 27, 2025 05:24 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

ASEAN Summit

Philippines

Claire Castro

flood control

corruption

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