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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Makabayan doesn't want PBBM to resign over flood control projects mess

Makabayan doesn't want PBBM to resign over flood control projects mess

Published Sep 18, 2025 01:21 pm

At A Glance

  • Opposition lawmaker ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio wants President Marcos to be held accountable--but not resign--over the enactment of a national budget that's allegedly riddled with anomalies.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks during a press conference at Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang Palace, Manila, on September 15, 2025, announcing retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as chair of the new Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and confirming appointees including former DPWH chief Rogelio Singson and SGV partner Rossana Fajardo, with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong named as special adviser. Created under Executive Order No. 94, the ICI will immediately begin a fact-finding probe into alleged irregularities in flood-control and other infrastructure projects. The President pledged full cooperation and stressed the commission’s mandate for independent, transparent investigations and recommendations for legal action. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks during a press conference at Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang Palace, Manila, on September 15, 2025, announcing retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as chair of the new Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and confirming appointees including former DPWH chief Rogelio Singson and SGV partner Rossana Fajardo, with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong named as special adviser. Created under Executive Order No. 94, the ICI will immediately begin a fact-finding probe into alleged irregularities in flood-control and other infrastructure projects. The President pledged full cooperation and stressed the commission’s mandate for independent, transparent investigations and recommendations for legal action. (Mark Balmores)
Opposition lawmaker ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio wants President Marcos to be held accountable--but not resign--over the enactment of a national budget that's allegedly riddled with anomalies.
Tinio had this to say in a Makabayan press conference Thursday, Sep. 18, wherein he noted that he will not push for the resignation of the Chief Executive.
“Wala po tayong panawagan (We do not have such an appeal),” he said, as Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co and incoming Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, gestured in agreement with him.
Before they would call for the President’s resignation over the flood control projects mess, Tinio said they must have “direct material evidence” of his involvement in the corruption scandal.
But Tinio stressed that Marcos must still take accountability over the controversy, considering that he was the one who reviewed and signed the budget proposed by the Congress.
Marcos signed the proposed 2023, 2024, and 2025 national budgets, where a big chunk of money had supposedly gone to questionable infrastructure projects.
"Sa pag-apruba ng Kongreso sa budget, may kapangyarihan siyang pigilan ito (As Congress approves the budget, the President has the power to veto)," Tinio said.
Tinio says he just wants Marcos to take accountability on the basis of command responsibility.
“Wala tayong nakikitang ganoon dito (We do not see any of that here),” he said.
Go to the streets
Meanwhile, Tinio, Co, and Elago encouraged disgruntled Filipinos to participate in upcoming rallies set at the Luneta Park and at EDSA Shrine on Sept. 21.
But they reminded those who will participate to ensure that they will only bring placards and not any dangerous materials amid concerns that the rallies would turn violent.
There also isn't any instruction from the actual organizers to wear masks during the protest, which is now being a point of concern as non-legitimate protesters may infiltrate the crowd.
"Sa idadaos na rally sa Luneta, ang hiling namin ay makinig ng taimtim ang mga makakapunta sa rally. Pakinggan ang mga speakers. Pakinggan ang masa kung paano lumala ang korapsyon sa ilalim ng termino ni Marcos Jr., at paano rin lumala ito sa termino ni Duterte (Our only wish for the upcoming rally in Luneta is for participants to listen to the speakers and hear how corruption has worsened both during terms of Marcos and Duterte)," Co said.
Elago says the scheduled rallies are neither pro-Marcos nor pro-Duterte, "but it's a pro-people, anti-corruption rally".
"Kaya lahat talaga ay (Everybody is indeed) very welcome to attend the protest, and we should not allow fear mongering toward the people to express massively their protest against corruption," she added.
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