For the first time, Malacañang has spoken out about Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga, though one gets the feeling it did so with an arched eyebrow rather than alarm.
Earlier, the lawmaker announced that he had prepared an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the grounds of betrayal of public trust.
“Hopefully, Congress will remove him soon, so we can start investigating those involved in the flood control anomalies,” Barzaga said, a statement that might have made some wonder which flood he was talking about, the literal one or the one of the political variety.
In response, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro reiterated the longstanding position of Malacañang.
“This is a job that falls under the purview of the House of Representatives,” she said.
Castro, however, couldn’t resist tossing a few well-aimed pebbles at the young solon who had pointed to Malacañang as the supposed epicenter of corruption.
“It’s hard to speak without evidence; it’s easy to accuse, it’s easy to say things. If there’s no evidence, it shouldn’t be believed,” Castro said of Barzaga.
Despite grabbing the Palace’s attention, it was not clear if the congressman’s antics had managed to reach the President. The Chief Executive, Castro said, was preoccupied with more pressing national concerns.
“In this day and age, when the President is busy with so much, such issues are not being paid attention to,” she said — the political equivalent of saying, “Sorry, we’re too busy running a country.”
“The President is busy helping our countrymen, doing a lot of work to elevate the Philippines, not to lower the dignity of our country,” she added, drawing a line between governance and grandstanding.
Pressed by reporters to elaborate, Castro just smiled.
