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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace on contractors leaving PH: We can't stop them sans filed charges

Palace on contractors leaving PH: We can't stop them sans filed charges

Published Sep 4, 2025 04:17 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. bares key findings in the ongoing investigation of flood-control projects during a press conference at the Malacañan Palace on Aug. 11, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. bares key findings in the ongoing investigation of flood-control projects during a press conference at the Malacañan Palace on Aug. 11, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
Considering that there has been no charges filed against contractors allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects, Malacañang cannot prevent them from leaving the country.
However, a lookout bulletin will be initiated in order to monitor the movement of the contractors amid the investigation on the flood control mess.
Aside from the absence of charges against them, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said they cannot be prevented from going out of the country as they have the "freedom of movement."
"Sa ngayon po, since wala naman po kasing kaso pa na naisasampa, hindi po talaga natin mapipigilan ang sinuman na umalis ng bansa dahil may freedom of movement po tayo, at iyon ay nirirespeto (For now, since there is no cases filed against them, we really cannot prevent anyone from leaving the country because we have freedom of movement, and we respect that)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, Sept. 4.
"At kaya nga po ngayon ay mabilis na kumilos si Secretary Vince alinsunod na rin po sa utos ng Pangulo, at nag-request na po siya for a lookout bulletin para po makita natin kung ano iyong mga movement ng mga maaaring involved dito sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects (And so, now, Secretary Vince is moving fast in accordance to the directive of the President, and requested for a lookout bulletin to monitor the movement of those allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects)," Castro added.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Wednesday bared that one of the 15 contractors exposed by Marcos for getting 20 percent of the entire flood-control projects in the country already left the country.

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flood control probe contractors Claire Castro flood control mess
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