Malacañang rejected claims that the investigation into the multi-billion peso flood control scandal was underwhelming, stressing that the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are actually “overwhelmed” by the cases recommended for filing.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said while the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) concluded its work, the government’s investigations into the flood control anomalies continue.

"Sa totoo lamang po mukhang overwhelmed po ang Ombudsman at ang DOJ sa dami po ng mga kasong pinaparekomendang sampahan dito patungkol sa flood control project (In fact, it seems that the Ombudsman and the DOJ are overwhelmed by the number of cases being recommended for filing related to the flood control project)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, March 31.

"So, hindi po masasabing iyon lang ang naging trabaho ng ICI. Ang masasabi po natin, iyon ang naging trabaho ng ICI (So, it cannot be said that this was the only work of the ICI. What we can say is that this was indeed part of the ICI’s work)," Castro added.

The Palace official reiterated that the ICI functioned as a fact-finding committee, and they have already submitted many cases to the DOJ and the Ombudsman.

"So, ang ibig pong sabihin niyan, hindi po natulog, nagpahinga, hindi nag-relax ang ICI. Ngayon po lahat po ng kanilang nairekomenda, nakasuhan o for further investigation nasa kamay na po iyan ng DOJ at ng Ombudsman (What this means is that the ICI did not sleep, did not rest, did not relax. Now, all of their recommendations, whether filed as cases or for further investigation, are already in the hands of the DOJ and the Ombudsman)," Castro said.

The Palace mouthpiece also called on those claiming that the investigation over the flood control anomalies have died down, telling them to "wake up."

"Ang tangi nating masasabi ay Hoy, gising! Dahil alam po natin kung papaano —nagsumite na ang ICI ng kanilang report hindi lamang sa Ombudsman kung hindi pati sa DOJ (All I can say is wake up! Because we know that the ICI has submitted their report not only to the Ombudsman, but also the DOJ)),” Castro said.

She emphasized that the President is determined to uphold accountability regardless of how high-ranking the individuals involved may be, noting that the government's investigations are based on evidence, not “drama.”

“Of course. Definitely, kahit sino pa iyan, kung mayroong kinalaman, may ebidensiya, hindi puro pa-media. Sabi nga natin (whoever they are, if they are involved, there is evidence, not just media play. As we have said), stop the drama. We have to start working,” Castro said.

She also said that Marcos wants the public to see his administration as actively fighting corruption and to ensure that investigations into government abuses continue even after his term ends.