President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not allow mounting calls for his resignation to distract him from pursuing those behind the flood control corruption scandal, Malacañang said Sunday.
Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez emphasized that the President remains focused on the anti-corruption campaign he initiated, despite intensifying protests and public frustrations over the controversy.
In a separate interview, PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President was taking public calls for his resignation seriously, but does not feel threatened by the ongoing wave of protests sparked by the flood control corruption scandal.
“Our President will not be distracted by such calls. He has a responsibility that must be fulfilled,” Gomez said.
“This should be pursued against those who are at fault in this anti-corruption campaign,” he added.
He said the administration understands the anger and impatience reflected in the demonstrations, but stressed that the public’s grievances are being heard.
“Those calls, the people’s complaints, we feel them, we hear them,” Gomez noted.
“We know they are angry, we know they are getting impatient. But this is what I can say: We hear you, we feel you, and we will not disappoint you. The President will not disappoint you,” he said in a radio interview.
Gomez stated that Marcos views the protests as legitimate expressions of public sentiment, even as Palace officials closely monitor attempts by small groups to use the unrest to pressure the President to step down.
But Gomez maintained that the President remains steady in his position and committed to completing the accountability process.
Castro rejected the suggestion that President Marcos is “unbothered” by the demonstrations, which have grown louder in demanding accountability and urging him to step down.
“This is a political issue, and these are not one-day protests,” Castro said.
“They affect the economy and the country’s reputation. So we cannot say the President is unbothered. He is calm because he knows people want those involved held accountable, but he is not ignoring the calls,” she added.
The PCO chief noted that the government is focused on building “airtight, evidence-based” cases to avoid a repeat of past controversies such as the Priority Development Assistance Fund where some accused individuals were eventually cleared.
“‘That is what we are avoiding… we need to file very strong cases,” Gomez said.
He added that the President remains determined to complete the anti-corruption campaign he initiated.
“I started this and I will finish it,” he quoted Marcos as saying.
“The President will not flinch, and he will not be distracted.”
A warrant of arrest has already been issued against former lawmaker Zaldy Co while several others are now detained.
Gomez said more cases are advancing through parallel investigations by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“More are coming in the coming days… the President’s words will come true before Christmas,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Marcos monitors rallies, vows arrest of ‘big fish’ in flood control scam”
