Malacañang, on Tuesday, June 30, defended the Marcos administration’s governance and anti-corruption efforts, rejecting claims made by Vice President Sara Duterte that the government has been characterized by poor governance and the weaponization of the justice system.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration’s actions are rooted in the president's directive to ensure swift accountability for individuals implicated in alleged irregularities.
The question raised during the briefing cited the Vice President’s statement accusing the administration of filing cases against individuals who speak out against alleged corruption and of failing to address the country’s real problems.
In response, Castro emphasized that ongoing investigations and legal actions reflect the government’s commitment to accountability regardless of political affiliation.
“Nag-ugat ang mga usaping ito dahil sa pagpapatupad ng Pangulo ng batas sa mabilisang pagpapanagot sa mga taong sangkot,” Castro said.
She pointed out that several cases have already been filed and individuals allegedly involved in corruption have been held accountable within less than a year of the administration.
“Walang sinisino, walang kulay. Wala pang isang taon. Pero naiinip na ang karamihan,” she added.
Castro also contrasted the current administration’s efforts with previous years, saying earlier allegations of irregularities, including so-called ghost projects, had not been sufficiently investigated.
“Hindi sila naiinip sa anim na taon ni dating Pangulong Duterte na walang halos nagawang pag-iimbestiga,” she said.
She cited past concerns involving flood control and infrastructure projects, noting that issues reportedly raised as early as 2018 were not fully pursued.
“Ba’t di natin hanapin yung sinasabi na ghost projects… Bakit hindi na natin ito hanapin?” Castro said.
The Palace official stressed that the current administration’s approach is centered on strengthening governance and ensuring that alleged misuse of public funds is properly investigated, even if the issues originated from previous administrations.
Castro maintained that the government’s actions reflect a commitment to “good governance,” emphasizing that ongoing probes are part of efforts to address long-standing concerns in infrastructure spending and public accountability.
