President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos honor the country’s most outstanding choirs in a ceremony titled Gintong Parangal: Honoring the Champion Choirs of 2024 at Malacañan Palace on November 24, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool/File
MANILA — Malacañang reiterated on Saturday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. respect the people's rights to air their grievances over alleged corruption in flood control projects but warned against letting "personal interests" take over the planned protests.
The Palace said Marcos is just as disappointed at substandard or "ghost" flood control projects as government critics are.
"Naririnig at nararamdaman ng Pangulo ang pagkadismaya ng taumbayan at iyon ay kanyang nararamdaman rin," said Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro in a statement.
(The President hears and feels the people's dismay and he feels the same way)
Castro highlighted that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure has already started investigating reported anomalies and that Marcos Jr. hopes Filipinos will cooperate with the probe and in holding erring officials accountable.
'BE VIGILANT'
But she stressed that some may use the probe and the widespread protests for their "personal interests."
"Maging mapanuri lamang at maging mapagmatyag dahil baka gamitin ang lehitimong layunin na ito ng mga tao na ang nais lamang ay manira ng gobyerno at iangat ang personal na interest nila," she said.
(Just be critical and vigilant because people who want to discredit government and advance their personal interests could take advantage of the protests' legitimate objectives)
Marcos backs anti-corruption sentiments: Malacañang
Ronald Llamas, a political analyst who used to be affiliated with the Akbayan, made a similar warning Saturday morning, saying "bad elements" could derail the good intentions of the protests.
A DAY OF PROTESTS
Several protests are scheduled across Metro Manila on September 21, the anniversary of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s declaration of martial law in 1972.
"Bahain ang Luneta", organized by activists and multi-sectoral groups, will start at 9 a.m. at Luneta in Manila.
"The Trillion Peso March", spearheaded by religious groups, is set for 2 p.m. at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
Groups associated with the Dutertes have also announced parallel activities at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila and at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
A prayer rally will also be held in Davao City, where Vice President Sara Duterte said, 100 cattle would be sacrificed.
ICI CREATED, 'SUMBONG' WEBSITE LAUNCHED
Marcos had so far created the ICI to investigate irregularities in infrastructure programs and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.
Political analyst urges public: Don’t let ‘dark’ elements hijack Sept. 21 protests
He also launched the "Sumbong sa Pangulo" website, which has provided the government with information on several “ghost” flood control projects and similar complaints.
But his former ally, Vice President Sara Duterte, earlier criticized Marcos’ efforts as too slow, adding that the budget itself is proof enough to file cases.