"Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay pangulo ng Pilipinas," Marcos says.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized that he is the President of the nation—not of his family or friends—as he announced that multiple cases are expected to be filed soon against his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, over his alleged involvement in the controversial flood control projects.

Speaking during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, Marcos said several lawmakers and contractors had already been jailed as a result of the government's investigation into the alleged anomalies, adding that the Office of the Ombudsman is now preparing to file multiple cases against Romualdez.

“Lahat ng kailangang gawin ay ginawa natin para matunton ang puno't dulo. Dumating na tayo sa punto na ayon sa Ombudsman ay malapit na ang paghahain ng patong-patong na kaso laban sa dating speaker (Martin Romualdez),” Marcos said.

The President acknowledged that the development was personally painful because Romualdez is his cousin, but stressed that the rule of law must prevail.

“Masakit man sa akin ito, ngunit kailangan nating gawin ang tama. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo, ang aking mga kapa Pilipino,” he added.

He added that the matter would now be left to the Ombudsman and other concerned agencies for prosecution.

“Ipinapaaubaya na natin ang pag-uusig sa Ombudsman at iba pang kinauukulan. Makaaasa kayo na ang gulong ng hustiya ay umuusad,” he said.

Marcos made the announcement at the opening of his fifth SONA, which began at 4:05 p.m. at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

The President did not specify the exact charges that would be filed but said the cases stem from the government's investigation into alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.