Malacañang on Tuesday defended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s remark that some government officials and individuals involved in the alleged flood control scam would not have a “Merry Christmas” during the holidays, saying accountability efforts are ongoing and due process is being observed.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro made the statement during a press briefing with the Malacañang Press Corps on January 6, following questions on whether the President’s statement materialized after the holidays.
Reporters noted that while the President earlier spoke confidently about accountability for those implicated in corruption, Christmas had passed with only limited developments, including the detention of one individual, Sarah Discaya.
Castro said the President did not name specific individuals when he made the statement and stressed that several actions have already been taken in the months since. These include arrests, the issuance of warrants, suspects going into hiding, and others negotiating settlements and returning alleged kickbacks as restitution.
“Ang binanggit po ng Pangulo doon sa kanyang report ay sa mga taong nabanggit niya, marami ang hindi magiging merry ang Christmas. Wala naman siyang binanggit kung sino ang pangalan,” Castro said, adding that the process is far from over.
She emphasized that such developments are unprecedented and are happening under the Marcos administration, noting that accountability mechanisms are moving forward within legal bounds.
"Never nangyari sa anumang administrasyon, sa administrasyon lang po ni Pangulong Marcos, nangyayari ang mga ito," PCO Usec. Atty. Claire Castro said.
Castro also said the President is awaiting swift resolutions from the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice, underscoring that cases will proceed where evidence is strong and that due process will be upheld.
“Hindi pa po natatapos ang termino ng Pangulo. Marami pa po ang mangyayari at magaganap,” Castro said, adding that both the public and the President continue to expect further actions as investigations progress.
