Manila: Malaca±ang on Wednesday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. may already be aware of some lawmakers allegedly involved in anomalous infrastructure projects, as revealed by Senator Panfilo Lacson.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson earlier claimed that at least 67 lawmakers in 2022 were either directly or indirectly acting as contractors for government-funded infrastructure projects, thereby gaining full control over both funding and implementation.
This, as Marcos, in his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, flagged alleged corruption and fund misuse in public infrastructure projects, vowing to hold those involved accountable.
"Baka nga po 'yung nasa listahan ni Sen. Lacson, maaaring nasa listahan na rin ng Pangulo (Some names on Senator Lacson's list may also be on the President's list)," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a media briefing with the Philippine press delegation covering Marcos' state visit to India.
Castro said the Palace welcomes Lacson's expos© and urged those with knowledge of irregularities to come forward. "Yan po ay welcome dahil yan po rin ang hinihikayat ng ating Pangulo (That is welcome because that's exactly what the President is encouraging)," Castro said.
She added that such disclosures should be supported by proof and treated without premature judgment. "Kung ito po ay maibubunyag ni Sen. Lacson at siya ay may mga pruweba po, welcome po niya sa Pangulo at sa administrasyon (If Senator Lacson reveals this and has evidence, it will be welcomed by the President and the administration)," she said.
