President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., along with officials from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, discuss the country's Sovereign Guarantee during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on August 6, 2024. Ryan Baldemor, PPA Pool
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not be "distracted" by any calls to step down or resign, according to Communications Secretary Dave Gomez.
This, as thousands of protesters took to the streets on November 30 with clamor for accountability amid corruption allegations in the flood control controversy.
“He will finish the job — the job that he began,” Gomez told ANC Sunday, November 30.
“If you remember, it was the President himself who blew the whistle on this flood control anomalies in his ‘mahiya naman kayo’ SONA. He is not blinking, and he will see this through. He will finish this and sabi nga ng pangulo, ‘sinimulan ko ito, tatapusin ko ito’,” he added.
Gomez noted that Marcos Jr. and the "entire administration" have been monitoring the demonstrations, emphasizing that they respect their right to peacefully assemble and express anger.
“We feel you, we hear you and we will not disappoint you. Tandaan lang natin, kailangan nating obserbahan ang due process sa lahat nang ito,” he said. Gomez vowed that more individuals implicated in the controversy will be held accountable, even the so-called “big fish."
“Bago magpasko mas marami pa ang makukulong kasama na diyan yung mga tinatawag nilang big fish,” he said,
“Ang importante lang talaga eh mapatibay ‘yung ating mga ebidensya sa ating case build up para this time around, walang makakalusot sa mga nagnakaw sa bayan. Sisiguraduhin nating mananagot sila at mababawi natin ang kanilang mga ninakaw,” Gomez assured.
The official also asserted that the president has been “consistent with what he is saying” that there will be no sacred cows and no one will be spared in the investigation.
‘ULTIMATUM’ TO MARCOS ADMIN
Akbayan Partylist Representative Percy Cendaña said that the November 30 protest is a “sequel” to the September 21 anti-corruption demonstration.
“September 21 [protest] is a warning, today is an ultimatum. Binibigyan natin ng ultimatum ang administrasyon. Kasi so far, inip na inip na tayo doon sa progress o kawalan nang progress at bagal ng pace nung accountability measures,” Cendaña told ANC.
What has happened since the September 21 People Power Monument and Luneta rallies?
The lawmaker lamented that the “big fishes” have yet to be made accountable.
When asked if they are not calling for the resignation or removal of Marcos Jr. at this point, Cendaña responded that they are calling for a “careful examination of evidence."
The lawmaker urged Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty and Independent Commission against Infrastructure Corruption bills.
“Pero habang ang presidente, sinasabing niya na siya ay kasama ng taumbayan sa kampanya kontrsa corruption, he should put his money where his mouth is. Certify as urgent itong dalawang mahalagang batas,” he said.
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