‘Wala silang merry Christmas’: Marcos says arrests near in flood control probe

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. said those involved in massive irregularities surrounding flood control projects will soon face imprisonment.

Marcos, speaking in a Palace press briefing on Thursday, said several personalities implicated in the anomalous projects are expected to be behind bars before the holidays.

“Alam ko bago magpasko marami dito, napangalanan dito ay palagay ko ay matatapos na ang kaso nila, buo na ang kaso, makukulong na sila. Wala silang merry Christmas. Bago mag Christmas makukulong na sila,” Marcos told reporters.

The President did not provide a specific timeline, noting that investigators are still uncovering additional irregularities and unaccounted funds.

“Wala tayong nabuo na [timeline] kasi marami pa kaming nakikita eh, marami pa kaming nakikitang iba. So ‘yung nabanggit ko na halaga ‘yun pa lang ang ating nakikita pero nakakatiyak ako na marami pang mababawi dito eh so patuloy naming gagawin ‘yan,” he said.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon earlier confirmed that non-bailable charges have been filed against 40 individuals linked to alleged fraudulent projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro.

“So doon pa lang sa dalawang kaso na ‘yun, halos 40 tao. ‘Yan ang mga unang-unang makukulong kasi non-bailable ‘yung mga kaso,” Dizon said.

He added that the Office of the Ombudsman aims to file the charges within the month.

“Kasi ‘yun ang sigurado — mafi-file bago mag-Pasko. In fact, ang goal ng Ombudsman ay mafi-file this month ‘yung dalawang kaso na ‘yun. So ‘yung dalawang kaso na ‘yun ang makukulong doon kasi non-bailable ‘yung mga kaso — 40 people ‘yung makukulong kasama mga Discaya, mga Wawao, Alcantara at ‘yung mga sa Oriental Mindoro, ‘yung Sunwest at St. Timothy,” he explained.