President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is on look out in the government’s anti-corruption drive on anomalous flood control projects will not stop at small players, stressing that the “big fish” who run the system must be exposed and prosecuted to dismantle the culture of corruption.
"Kapag sila na out of action na, ay talagang magbabago. Dahil sila talaga nagpapatakbo. So I suppose the description sometimes yung "big fish" talaga. Yung talagang nagpapatakbo nitong sistema na ito. Yun. Kasi hindi mo mabubuwag yung sistema niyan hanggat tinanggal mo yung mga player na yan. So tatanggalin natin yung mga player na yun. Kahit sino man sila. Para maayos ang patakbo ng sistema," the President said in his 4th episode of BBM Podcast.
Marcos said no one would readily admit involvement in the scam, but strong evidence must be used to identify and hold accountable the true masterminds.
“Wala namang aamin na may kaugnayan sila eh. Hindi ba? Kahit sino,” Marcos said.
The President admitted that corruption in government infrastructure projects thrived Filipinos have already “normalized” the illegal practices
“Kaya nagkaganto. Dahil kinabayaan eh. We looked the other way. Nagbulagbulagan tayo. Nagbibingi-bingihan tayo. Wala tayong naririnig,” he lamented.
Marcos further noted that the system of corruption is so entrenched that even those who try to stay away from it can become targets.
"Because that's the system already. Kahit ayaw mo, pagka sabihin na hindi ako interesado sa mga ganyan. Pasasagasaan ka ng sistema. Yung mga nandiyan na aktibo dyan sa mga kalokohan na yan, aatakihin ka. Parang get you out of the way kasi baka magsumbong ka pa,” he said.
The President reiterated that the campaign against anomalous projects will hold accountable whoever is involved, regardless of political ties or affiliations.
“Kahit sinuportahan kayo or something, talagang wala silang kawala dito sa campaign na ito,” Marcos said.
Citizens’ Role
Marcos on the first part of his podcast has also encouraged Filipinos to use the government’s reporting platforms, citing that over 12,000 complaints—from flood control anomalies to road projects—have already been submitted.
“That has been very effective. And that's why I encourage everybody. Lahat ng hinihikayat ko, kayo lahat. Pagka meron talaga kayong gusto i-reklamo, i-reklamo ninyo.,” he said.
The flood control scandal, which has implicated lawmakers, DPWH officials, and contractors, has drawn nationwide outrage amid revelations of ghost projects and kickbacks amounting to billions.
Marcos assured the public that their concerns are being heard.
“There's hope. Have hope. We've seen all of what people are complaining about or having to live with. Yung kailangan ninyo pagtyagaan, pagtiisan araw-araw ninyo sa buhay, alam namin yun. At lahat ng aming kayang gawin, ginagawa namin. Pero yun na nga, babalik na naman ako doon sa nasabi ko kanina na ang lalim ng kalawang, ang lalim ng bulok.” he said
The flood control scandal has implicated lawmakers, DPWH officials, and contractors in alleged ghost projects worth billions, sparking nationwide outrage and calls for accountability.
