MANILA: Resigning does not absolve one from culpability, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during the first part of the fifth episode of his online programme titled BBM Podcast.
When asked if resigning helps one get away from being held accountable, he said: “That’s not enough. There is a great deal of damage that has been caused, not only financial damage or economic damage, but actual damage to people’s lives.”
“I mean, very simple – a lousy flood control project that collapsed during the flood, that killed a family. I mean, how can you live with that? I can’t live with it. So, I won’t live with it. So, I…we’ll keep pushing,” he added.
While no specific names were mentioned, two of Marcos’ known political allies have recently resigned from their posts amid the corruption scandal — his cousin Martin Romualdez, who resigned as House speaker; and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep Elizaldy “Zaldy Co,” who vacated his spot in Congress.
Meanwhile, when asked what would happen in the government’s fight against corruption if it led to his allies, Marcos maintained that it will continue as he stressed that he did not expose the issue on ghost flood control projects during his recent State of the nation address for mere political posturing.
“I think we’re already there. Why would I even start such a thing if it was somehow for political advantage?” said Marcos.
“The reason I brought it up and made it part of the national discourse was quite simply because this could not go on. Because if it kept going – suddenly you discovered how deeply entrenched this entire system was,” he pointed out.
Marcos said that there has always been “a sniff and suspicion” of corruption in the government, but not of the same scale as the trillions poured and lost in anomalous flood control projects.
He took credit in exposing it, stating that allowing it to continue would mean no progress would ever happen to the country, including its economy, education and healthcare.
“That’s why I brought it up and I will continue to bring it up because I do not see any point to anything that we are doing unless we move the country forward,” said the president.
Marcos also emphasised that he has no intention of being among the presidents who “resigned” themselves to inaction simply because their term lasts only six years.
“This is what we’ve seen over so many past decades. I didn’t want to be another one. I didn’t want to be a part of that kind of attitude, especially in terms of public service,” he explained. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
