Kamanggagawa Representative Eli San Fernando criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday for being “all publicity” regarding the country’s flood control corruption issues.
“The public perception and my perception of PBBM is all PR (‘public relations’) but no one is being held accountable,” Rep. San Fernando said in Filipino.
The lawmaker acknowledged that he shares the president’s feelings of sadness and anger over the scandal involving alleged misuse of government funds. However, he said emotions are not enough for an executive.
“I can feel his sadness, that he is tearing up, he is angry. I, too, am angry and tearing up—billions of pesos are being talked about here; who wouldn’t cry?” Rep. San Fernando said.
He added that the President could take stronger action as the “man on top,” citing Marcos Jr.’s term, which brought former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity during his war on drugs.
“If he’s really serious about this, as the executive, as the president, he can do that. There’s already one who was sent to the ICC,” Rep. San Fernando said.
The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) recently recommended several high-ranking officials to the Office of the Ombudsman to face charges in the flood control scandal, including Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and former Caloocan Second District Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla also said the first batch of complaints will be filed with the Sandiganbayan on or before 25 November, including officials at Salary Grade 27.
Rep. San Fernando challenged the president to act impartially and detain those involved, even if they are relatives or political allies.
“It’s a challenge to the president—if it’s your cousin, relative, or political ally, if you’re really serious, detain them,” he said.
“The request of the workers and ordinary people is simple: all individuals involved in flood control should answer to the law, account for their assets, and up until now nothing is happening,” he added.