Malacañang said President Marcos is ready to face allegations linking Ilocos Norte projects to the embattled Discaya contractor couple, assuring the public there will be no cover-up in the ongoing flood control probe.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson claimed that there were also questionable Discaya projects in the President’s home province of Ilocos Norte, raising questions about the administration’s anti-corruption push.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Castro said the President created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) precisely to handle such claims.

“Kaya nga nag-create ng ICI, independent ito. Kung ano masisiwalat dito, ilabas; kung sino ang tatamaan dito, papanagutin (That is why the ICI was created. It is independent. Whatever is revealed should come out; whoever is implicated must be held accountable),” she said Sunday, Sept. 21.

“So, walang magiging cover up dito (So there will be no cover-up here),” she added.

Castro noted that the Palace itself had previously flagged the Discayas’ involvement in problematic projects, including one in Intramuros that caught the attention of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

“Maski na nga si First Lady eh hindi ba dismayado sa Discaya dahil iyon mismong Heritage building sa Intramuros, kami nagsiwalat eh na Discaya pala iyong gumawa (Even the First Lady was dismayed that Discaya handled the Intramuros Heritage building project. We ourselves revealed that it was Discaya that made it),” she said.

“What more kung mayroon pang ibang mga palpak na mga proyekto? Eh, dapat ilahad iyan (What more if there are other failed projects? Then they must also be exposed),” she added.

Castro emphasized that President Marcos is prepared to respond to any issues raised, provided these are backed by proof.

“Yes. Basta ibigay lang nila iyong tamang mga ebidensiya (Yes, as long as they present proper evidence),” she said when asked if the President was ready to explain allegations of irregularities in Ilocos Norte projects.

The Palace official cautioned the public against taking accusations at face value, especially those tied to political rivalries.

“Kasi ang hirap dito magtuturo ka lang eh, eh ang dami-daming opisyal ng Ilocos Norte (The problem here is when someone just points fingers, and there are so many officials in Ilocos Norte),” she said.

“Lalo na kung ang magsasalita naman ay Duterte supporter… Huwag po kayo agad-agad maniwala sa ganoon (All the more if the one speaking is a Duterte supporter. We should not immediately believe that),” she added.

The Palace official reiterated that the ICI will investigate all allegations regardless of who is implicated, and that accountability will be enforced.