5TH SONA: PRESIDENT MARCOS REVEALS OMBUDSMAN NOW PREPARING TO FILE MULTIPLE CASES VS FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER

“HINDI ako Pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako Pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo: ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino.”

Thus declared President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday and revealed that the Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to file multiple cases against the former House Speaker in connection with its ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa, President Marcos acknowledged the personal difficulty of the move but pointed out that his foremost duty is to uphold the law and serve the Filipino people.

“At dumating na tayo sa punto na ayon sa Ombudsman ay malapit na ang paghain ng patong-patong na kaso laban sa dating Speaker. Masakit man sa akin ito ngunit kailangan nating gawin ang tama,” the President noted.

Recalling his promise in last year’s SONA to expose corruption in flood control projects, the President said the government carried out a thorough and impartial investigation that has already resulted in the filing of cases and the detention of contractors, senior government officials, and lawmakers allegedly involved in the anomalies.

“Mga kababayan ko, naririto akong muli upang tuparin ang aking katungkulan, at magbigay ng ulat sa inyo tungkol sa estado ng ating bansa, at sa mga ginagawa ng inyong pamahalaan. Isang taon na ang nakalipas mula noong huli akong tumayo rito, upang ilantad ang katiwalian na nadiskubre namin sa mga flood control projects,” President Marcos said, apparently referring to the pronouncement, “Mahiya naman kayo!

“Gaya ng aking ipinangako sa inyo, nagsagawa tayo ng malawakan at malalimang imbestigasyon, na walang pagkiling kahit kanino man. Masusi nating sinuri, at sinundan kung saan tayo itinuro ng ebidensya. Lahat ng kailangang gawin ay ginawa natin upang matunton ang puno’t dulo,” the President noted.

“Mayroon nang mga unang nakasuhan at nakulong: mga kontratista; matataas na opisyal; pati na mga mambabatas,” President Marcos added.

The President also said the government has recovered and frozen nearly P25 billion in public funds and assets linked to anomalies in flood control projects, while intensifying reforms to prevent corruption and ensure accountability in infrastructure spending.

“Halos P25 bilyong piso ang halaga ng nabawi, ‘frozen,’ at napreserbang mga pera at ari-arian ng mga akusado. Ang mahigit walong daang milyong piso dito ay agad nating naibalik sa Treasury,” President Marcos said.

The President said the filing of criminal cases against those allegedly involved in the irregularities is accompanied by efforts to recover public funds and return them to the National Treasury.

“Kaakibat ng mga naisampang mga kaso, tiniyak ng inyong pamahalaan na mababawi mula sa mga nagsabwatan ang nakuha nilang pera ng taumbayan,” the President said.

President Marcos said the administration also stopped the release of government funds intended for defective, fake, and ghost infrastructure projects, preventing additional losses to the state.

“Gayundin, pinigilan natin ang paglabas ng pera ng bayan na ipambabayad pa dapat sa mga depektibo, peke, o guni-guning mga proyekto, at mapupunta lamang sa mga bulsa ng mga tiwaling kontraktor at opisyal,” the President said.

The President assured the public that all additional funds recovered from those implicated in the anomalies would likewise be returned to the government. “Lahat ng mababawi mula sa mga sangkot na tiwali ay agad ibabalik sa kaban ng bayan.”

President Marcos added that the prosecution of the cases has been entrusted to the Office of the Ombudsman and the strengthened National Prosecution Service, expressing confidence that the courts will dispense justice.

“Ipinapaubaya na natin ang pag-uusig sa Ombudsman at sa ating mga pinalakas na National Prosecution Service. Nananalig din tayo sa makatarungang hatol ng hukuman. Makakaasa kayo na ang gulong ng hustisya ay tumatakbo,” the President said.

While stressing the importance of accountability, President Marcos said the government must also move forward with institutional reforms to prevent similar irregularities from recurring.

The President credited citizens who reported suspected anomalies through the Isumbong sa Pangulo platform, saying public vigilance has played a vital role in the government’s anti-corruption campaign.

“Nakatulong ang lahat ng mga ulat at hinaing ninyo sa Isumbong sa Pangulo. Ang inyong pagbabantay at pakikialam sa pamahalaan ay ang susi sa paglaban sa katiwalian,” President Marcos said.

The Chief Executive said reforms have already begun within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including the hiring of a new generation of professionals, recent graduates, and competent job order and contract-of-service personnel to strengthen integrity and professionalism in the agency.

The President added that the government has expanded its review beyond flood control projects, ensuring that all infrastructure projects are necessary, properly planned, fairly priced, and correctly implemented.

“Bukod sa mga flood control projects, lahat ng mga proyekto ay sinuri at tiniyak na talagang kinakailangan at maayos — mula sa plano, presyo, hanggang pagpapatupad. Para walang overpricing, sinigurado natin na ang mga materyales ay ayon sa presyo sa merkado,” the President said.

To reinforce transparency and accountability, President Marcos said every infrastructure project and its corresponding budget are now being closely monitored through the Transparency Portal and Integrity Chain, with civil society organizations serving as partners in overseeing project implementation and the proper use of public funds.

“Bantay-sarado ang bawat proyekto at ang nakalaang pondo sa Transparency Portal, Integrity Chain, at katuwang na mga Civil Society Organization,” the President said.