AT the rate things are going, the largest business group in the Philippines is not fully satisfied with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to solve the flood control mess in the country. However, they strongly reject calls for him to resign, calling it a needless aggravation in an already dire situation.
‘We feel that we need more. And we need decisive actions and decisions. We don’t want cover-ups. We don’t want railroading. We want really those responsible to be punished and to be identified, and the only person that can really do that by appointing those that are really into it and addressing it is our president,’ Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Enunina Mangio told reporters on the sidelines of the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo on Monday in Pasay City.
Mangio said this after over 30 business groups made an appeal to Marcos through a joint statement issued on Sunday to address, without delay, the corruption scandal ‘crippling’ flood control and infrastructure projects in the country.
‘That’s why we’re calling the attention of our President to be decisive and to really give power to the ICI in addressing this and identifying those that are guilty,’ the PCCI chief said during the interview on Monday.
While several names were already dropped during the investigation on the anomalous flood control projects, Mangio said ‘We feel there are still some that have to be identified.’
To fast-track the process of going after the culprits behind the flood control mess, Mangio underscored the need to give legal authority to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).
Currently, she explained that the ICI has not yet earned the power to prosecute.
In a statement issued on Sunday, 34 business groups said: ‘We therefore urge His Excellency to immediately and transparently adopt the following measures: Empower the ICI with full legal authority and independence to conduct a swift, comprehensive investigation, free from political influence.’
This was on top of the list of the groups’ proposal.
The business groups said this as they pointed out that the corruption which stemmed from flood control projects is more than financial loss. Rather, they said it is a ‘fatal breach of public trust that leaves our people vulnerable and outraged.’
They also called this a ‘crisis’ that has eroded public trust and now threatens the country’s national security.
However, on the calls for the President to step down from his position amid the flood control mess, Mangio said Marcos ‘doesn’t need to resign because we can see his seriousness in addressing this.’
‘And remember, he was the one who brought this up,’ the PCCI chief pointed out.
She explained that the clamor for Marcos to resign has prompted the business groups to release the said statement, adding, ‘We are trying to prevent aggressive actions to take place.’