Minority bloc slams Marcos over unmet Christmas jail vow

The House of Representatives’ Minority Bloc on Thursday, 25 December, slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for failing to place a single “big fish” allegedly involved in the flood control scandal behind bars before Christmas Day.

“So much for someone who will spend Christmas in jail. He gave false hope to Filipino People,” the Minority Bloc said.

According to the bloc, the President’s declared deadline was nothing more than an attempt to placate public outrage over what it described as “massive corruption” under his administration.

“The President’s Christmas deadline was nothing more than empty rhetoric designed to pacify the public outrage over massive corruption in his administration,” the Minority Bloc added.

In November, Marcos said during a press briefing that several individuals allegedly involved in the multi-billion-peso infrastructure corruption scandal would spend Christmas in jail.

“Bago magpasko, marami dito sa napangalanan dito ay palagay ko ay matatapos na ‘yung kaso, buo na ‘yung kaso nila. Makukulong na sila. Wala silang Merry Christmas. Before Christmas, makukulong na sila,” the President said.

Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio questioned the failure to deliver on the President’s pronouncement.

“ Bakit walang malaking isda sa kulungan ngayong Pasko?” Tinio said.

He attributed the absence of arrests of high-ranking officials to what he described as an “anemic pursuit of big fish, selective prosecution, and lackluster arrests,” which he said allowed the President and senior officials to evade accountability.

Tinio cited allegations by whistleblowers pointing to supposed kickbacks involving top officials, claiming that while some figures were removed from their posts, they were allowed to leave quietly.

“Both star whistleblower Usec. Bernardo and fugitive Zaldy Co have alleged that kickbacks were paid to the President. Bonoan was allowed to leave the country. Bersamin, Pangandaman, Usec. Jojo Cadiz, and others have been axed from Malacañang but have kept their silence,” Tinio said.

He further said the Office of the Ombudsman has yet to investigate the individuals named, while the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee allegedly lost momentum once the trail led to Malacañang. He added that the House had already wrapped up its probe.

“ Even certain influential members of civil society have opted to engage Pres. Marcos Jr. on ‘meaningful reforms’ rather than seriously interrogate him and his cabinet on their role in the flood control scam. Walang malaking isda dahil ginusto nila yan,” Tinio said.

Tinio warned that the lack of accountability at the highest level of government sets a dangerous precedent.

“If Malacañang will not be held accountable, then neither will the leaders of the House and Senate,” he said.