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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Marcos open to all sound proposals aimed at recovering stolen public funds

Palace: Marcos open to all sound proposals aimed at recovering stolen public funds

Published Oct 13, 2025 03:26 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a press conference at the Malacañan Palace on Sept. 15, 2025 to announce the chair of the newly-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a press conference at the Malacañan Palace on Sept. 15, 2025 to announce the chair of the newly-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure. (Mark Balmores)
President Marcos remains open to all "good suggestions" that aim to recover the stolen public funds from the failed and non-existent flood control projects, Malacañang said.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this when asked whether or not Marcos would favor granting shorter imprisonment for those who will be proven responsible in the massive flood control corruption if they would be able to return the stolen public funds.
Castro did not categorically state that the President would be in favor of the suggestion made by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, but she maintained that Marcos remains open to all proposals in relation to recovering the funds.
Lacson floated the "retribution plus restitution" plan that would facilitate the return of funds as part of a plea deal, stressing that the President can take the lead in pursuing this direction.
Castro also said that the President has the authority to grant executive clemency or conditional pardon.
"Unang-una po ay mayroon naman po ding kapangyarihan ang Pangulo, iyong tinatawag nating executive clemency through a commutation of sentence at mayroon din po tayong tinatawag na conditional pardon na dapat ay iyong mga requirements ay natupad (First of all, the President also has the authority to grant what we call executive clemency through a commutation of sentence, and there is also what we call a conditional pardon, which requires that certain conditions be fulfilled)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Monday, Oct. 13.
"Pero sa ngayon po, lahat po ng mga magagandang suhestiyon para po ma-recover natin ang mga nasasabing nanakaw na pondo ng bayan at para mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot ay bukas po ang Pangulo, ang administrasyon patungkol po diyan (But for now, the President and the administration remain open to all good suggestions on how we can recover the alleged stolen public funds and hold accountable those who must be held accountable)," Castro added.

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President Marcos flood control corruption public funds ping lacson
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