DUE process will be observed in all legal proceedings related to anomalous infrastructure projects, Malacañang said Tuesday following the announcement of the Ombudsman that a plunder complaint is being prepared against former speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate president Francis Escudero.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wanted due process to be observed in cases related to the flood control controversy.
“We know that President Marcos Jr. was the one who started the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects, and he wants those behind it to be held accountable. Evidence is the key, and due process is what is needed,” Castro said in a statement.
“Hastily filing of cases without basis or planting evidence is not the job of this administration,” she added.
The Palace official said that the administration remained firm in its stance to hold all those involved accountable but rejected “trial by publicity.”
Castro also cautioned against politicizing the issue, saying that noise could distract the investigation.
“The filing of a case is being studied, scrutinized, and not just a media thing as some people do, who just make noise but don’t help in investigating and holding those responsible accountable,” she said.
Remulla on Monday said that plunder charges against Escudero and Romualdez would be filed next month, following investigation anchored on testimonies presented during hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
“We have been zealously preparing a case of plunder against former speaker Martin Romualdez and former SP Chiz Escudero. There’s conspiracy involved,” Remulla said.
Romualdez and Escudero have denied involvement in the alleged irregularities.
Malacañang last week assured the public that the government has not forgotten the investigation and was still pursuing individuals involved in the flood control scandal, even after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure ceased operations on March 31.
