Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday underscored that the Marcos administration’s resolve to go after those implicated in the multi-billion-peso flood control corruption scandal including her cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, will be proven through concrete action.
“To see is to believe,” Duterte told the media on the sideline of the DU30 Run Leg 2 held in Davao City.
Duterte stressed that the government’s sincerity will be measured by the proper presentation of evidence and whether those responsible are truly held accountable.
Her remarks follow the filing of charges against resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and 17 others, with arrest warrants issued and reports that Co’s passport may be canceled.
Asked about potential charges against Romualdez, Duterte said intentions alone are not enough.
“We’ll see. To everything the administration says it will charge and imprison, to see is to believe,” she said.
She added that only through proper legal proceedings can the public gauge the administration’s seriousness in holding perpetrators accountable.
Meanwhile, eight of the 16 individuals implicated in the alleged multi-billion-peso flood-control scam are now in government custody after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate execution of arrest warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan.
Marcos underscored the administration’s commitment to ensuring swift justice in high-profile corruption cases, particularly those involving public infrastructure projects.
The Sandiganbayan had previously issued arrest warrants against the 16 suspects following investigations into alleged anomalies in flood-control projects, which have drawn widespread public attention and scrutiny.
Authorities have confirmed that operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining eight individuals.
Government officials reiterated that the enforcement of the warrants demonstrates the state’s resolve to hold public officials accountable and restore public trust in government programs.
No further details regarding the identities of the detained suspects have been released, pending formal charges and due process.
