President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to pursue high-ranking officials involved in the controversial flood control projects, with those implicated in corruption expected to face jail time before Christmas. Presidential Communications Secretary Dave reiterated the President’s earlier statement, saying that many have already been charged, several are in detention, and more arrests are expected, including what he referred to as the “big fish.” “Now, three months have passed since our President exposed this, and many have already been charged, and more will be charged, and some are already in jail, and our President promised that before Christmas, more will be imprisoned. We will ensure that they will be held accountable and we will recover what they have stolen,” he added. Gomez also dismissed claims by fugitive former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, one of the accused in the case. “Included in that are what they call the big fish,” Gomez said in a television interview. His remarks came amid the ongoing anti-corruption protests, a continuation of the September 21 demonstrations demanding accountability over the flood control projects. Gomez stressed the importance of building strong evidence in ongoing investigations to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. “The important thing is to really strengthen our evidence in our case build-up so that this time around, none of those who stole from the country can get away with it.” He said Co must return to the Philippines to face his arrest warrant and testify under oath regarding the allegations.
