Palace calls for sobriety amid flood control scandal protests
Published Sep 4, 2025 12:05 pm
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Updated Sep 4, 2025 02:19 pm
At A Glance
- Castro said President Marcos does not want public anger to spiral into chaos.
Malacañang has appealed for sobriety and vigilance as protests against alleged irregularities in flood control projects escalated, warning against unrest fueled by misinformation.
Members of the environmental group Kalikasan spray-paint the words 'Magnanakaw' and 'Korap' on the office walls and gate of St. Gerrard Construction office, in Pasig City, on Sept. 4, 2025. At the same time, protesters hurl rotten vegetables mixed with foul-smelling water at police officers outside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Manila, as they stage a demonstration over alleged irregularities in the agency. (Santi San Juan/Contributed photo)
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after a mud-throwing protest held by disaster survivors and environmental groups outside the Pasig office of St. Gerrard Construction on Thursday, Sept. 4.
Protesters likewise staged demonstrations outside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office in Manila, and even hurled rotten vegetables mixed with foul-smelling water at police officers outside the building.
In her press briefing, Castro said President Marcos does not want public anger to spiral into chaos.
“Hindi po nanaisin ng Pangulo na ganito ang mangyari (The President does not want this to happen),” she said.
“Sabi nga po ng Pangulo, sinusunod natin ang due process (He has said we must follow due process),” she added.
The Palace Press Officer stressed that the ongoing investigations into the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects are intended to serve the people, not to create disorder.
“Pero hindi po ninanais na magkaroon ng kaguluhan dahil lamang may mga maling information (The President does not want disorder just because of false information),” she said.
“Nais ng Pangulo ay maliwanagan lahat tayo kung ano nangyayari sa mga flood control projects at maibigay ang nararapat sa taong bayan (His aim is for us all to be enlightened on what is happening and to give what is due to the people),” she added.
With this, Castro said Marcos had directed government agencies and law enforcement to prevent violent escalation while the review of projects and budget allocations continues.
“Inuutos naman din ng Pangulo sa mga concerned government agencies natin, sa mga law enforcement natin, na huwag niyo pong hayaan ito (The President has ordered concerned government agencies and law enforcement not to let this happen),” she said.
The Palace reiterated that anomalies uncovered in the DPWH will be addressed through investigation and accountability measures, not mob action.
Rebels exploiting anger
Asked about reports from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) that communist groups were using public anger to recruit members, Castro urged vigilance, especially among the youth.
“Kaya nga po maging mapanuri. ‘Yan po ang request natin (That is why we must be discerning. That is our request),” she said.
“Mag-isip po tayo dahil hindi po ito nadadaan sa dahas (Let us think carefully because this cannot be resolved through violence),” she added.
The Malacañang official cautioned against attempts to politicize or weaponize the flood control controversy.
“Huwag po sana gamitin ito… ng mga rebelde, ng mga obstructionist, o ng mga kalaban sa politika (This should not be used by rebels, obstructionists, or political opponents),” she said.
For now, Castro said the situation was not yet alarming, noting that security forces were closely monitoring potential threats.
“Since ito naman po ay nai-report na ng NTF-ELCAC, monitoring po diyan (Since this has been reported by the NTF-ELCAC, monitoring is already in place),” she said.
The Palace called on the public to cooperate in rooting out corruption but underscored that the fight must be pursued through legal processes and in unity.
“Magtulong-tulong po tayong lahat para masawata ang korapsyon dito sa bansa (Let us all work together to eradicate corruption in the country),” Castro said.