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MARCOS CAUTIONS VS RUSHING CORRUPTION CASES: BETTER TO GET IT RIGHT

admin October 31, 2025

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. explained the need not to rush the legal cases being prepared against those believed to have pocketed billions of pesos in public funds from anomalous flood control and other projects in order not to jeopardize the cases and result in their dismissal.

During the Kapihan with the Media in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, President Marcos said he understood that many feel frustrated that those who have been identified to be involved in the wide-scale corruption are not yet put behind bars.

“I understand the frustration because we do have a very good idea about who these people are. But you have to take them to court. You have to present evidence. They have to be convicted,” President Marcos said in the media interview at the end of his four-day visit where he joined other world leaders in the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits from October 26 to 28.

“And as I’m sure anyone who has been involved in any kind of legal proceeding we are all very frustrated, especially non-lawyers are very frustrated by how long it takes. Ang sagot naman ng mga abogado sa atin is that may kasabihan sa kanila: The wheels of justice grind slowly but they grind very well. So, we are counting on that,” the President said.

Saying that he personally receives messages daily clamoring to put to jail the suspects in the flood control corruption and to forfeit their assets, President Marcos explained the need to observe due process and proper evidence gathering to ensure that the legal cases are airtight.

“Can you imagine these people who have stolen billions from the government and from the people, nakawala dahil hindi maganda pag-handle ng evidence? That would be a much worse result. So due process must be observed,” said the Chief Executive.

The President said those who stole public funds should be made to pay for their crimes through the legal system.

“I think it’s more important that we get one chance at this. Isa lang ang chance natin. We cannot waste that opportunity to bring those people to justice and to bring justice to the Filipino people,” said President Marcos.