Malacañang rejected claims circulating online that the administration had lost interest in pursuing accountability over alleged anomalies in flood control projects, saying President Marcos remains committed to holding those responsible to account.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said such assertions were unfounded, stressing that the President continues to push for accountability even as he focuses on economic priorities.

“Hindi po nawawalan ng interes ang Pangulo sa pagpapanagot kung sinuman ang dapat na managot (The President is not losing interest in holding accountable whoever should be held accountable),” she said Wednesday, Feb. 11.

She added that the administration expected public and political noise after opening scrutiny into the use and alleged abuse of funds for flood control projects.

“Kung galit po ang mga Pilipino sa korapsiyon, lalo pong mas galit ang ating Pangulo (If Filipinos are angry about corruption, the President is even angrier),” she said.

Castro said the President’s attention to economic issues should not be interpreted as a retreat from anti-corruption efforts, but rather a response to broader governance priorities.

“Tututukan lamang po ng Pangulo ang ekonomiya dahil kailangan po ito dahil sa sobrang ingay po na nagaganap dahil sa binuksan niya po ang issue sa paggamit ng maanomalyang flood control projects (The President is focusing on the economy because it is necessary, especially amid the noise caused by opening the issue on anomalous flood control projects),” she said.

She noted that the administration anticipated the political fallout tied to investigations into public fund misuse.

“Ini-expect naman po ng Pangulo iyan (The President expected that),” Castro added.

The Palace Press Officer emphasized that the administration aims to move forward by balancing accountability measures with broader national priorities, particularly economic recovery.

“Ang sabi nga ng Pangulo, siya po ay tututok sa ekonomiya para naman po sa iba pa nating mga kababayan na hindi naman puro pulitika lang ang pinag-iisipan (As the President said, he will focus on the economy for our countrymen who are not thinking purely about politics),” Castro said.

She reiterated that pursuing accountability and strengthening economic performance are not mutually exclusive goals under the administration’s agenda.