Following the lightning protests at the doors of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the Palace again asked protesters to remain patient as the fact-finding body does its work.
Protesters from the People Surge National Alliance of Disaster Survivors and the Kalikasan People’s Network stormed the ICI office in Taguig City, attempting to push past the gates of the commission while decrying the lack of transparency and arrests related to corruption.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the government is currently working to address the corruption scandal.
Castro said that there were many cases to be filed, with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon already filing several complaints.
‘Hindi po dapat siguro mainip ang ating mga kababayan hanggang nandiyan po at may nagtatrabaho at ang intensiyon naman po ay maganda, para po mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot,’ Castro said in a press briefing on Friday, October 24.
(I think our countrymen should not be impatient while there are people working and their intention is good, so that there can be accountability.)
Castro told the protesters to let the system work, and that they should not be too negative about what the government is doing.
A DPWH on fire
The DPWH is currently the focal point of government corruption, with billions of pesos suspected of being funneled through the agency in kickback schemes. Several high-ranking officials have been tagged in the scheme, including House lawmakers and senators.
A fire recently hit the DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards in Quezon City, with many suspecting the agency of tampering with evidence. Initial findings ruled it a case of short circuit.
Asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is satisfied with the current explanation, the Palace reiterated that the investigation into the case is still ongoing.
While the DPWH has said that no vital documents were destroyed and that they are already digitizing the materials, several agencies still suspect foul play, including the National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman.