(Photo from PCO)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized that the government’s approach to fighting corruption is anchored in the Constitution and due process, and therefore should not be rushed.
He made this statement after some businessmen criticized the administration for the slow progress of its anti-corruption cases.
In a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, President Marcos said that filing charges against individuals involved in the alleged irregularities in flood control projects should not be done hastily or without solid evidence.
“Due process must be observed. We must make sure that those who have stolen from the people are punished and that what they took is returned to the government,” the President said.
He added that rushing cases might only lead to the acquittal of perpetrators due to weak evidence and poor case handling, underscoring the need to build strong cases before filing them in court.
“Do you want to get it done quickly, or do you want to get it done right? That’s the choice we have. Can you imagine these people who have stolen billions from the government and from the people getting away because the evidence was not properly handled?” President Marcos stated.
On the proposed livestreaming of hearings of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the President said he would leave the decision to the commission.
“Will livestreaming help, or will it not? We’ll just have to wait for the ICI to decide for themselves. We provide them with a budget and allow them to operate independently—to hire the people they want and manage their affairs as they see fit. We truly respect the first ‘I’ in their name—‘independent,’” he said.
The President also stressed that the slow pace of the legal process should not be seen as a weakness but as a safeguard to ensure that justice is properly served. (Report from Eugene Fernandez)
