Thousands march vs corruption in Manila, QC

Palace vows more arrests, 'big fish' to fall

- BETHEENA UNITE, DIANN CALUCIN, AARON RECUENCO, ALLYSA NIEVERA, and PATRICK GARCIA

As thousands marched against corruption in Luneta, Manila Land the People Power Monument in EDSA, Quezon City on Sunday, Nov. 30, President Marcos remained undistracted by calls for him to step down amid the flood control corruption mess in the country.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said the President is focused on his responsibilities, especially in going after the people behind the massive flood control anomalies.

"Ang Presidente, ang ating Pangulo, hindi madi-distract sa mga ganyang panawagan. Meron siyang responsibilidad na dapat gampanan at ito ay tugisin yung mga may sala dito sa anti-corruption na ito at gagawin ng Pangulo natin 'yan (The President, our President, will not be distracted by such calls. He has a responsibility to fulfill, and that is to go after those who are guilty in this anti-corruption effort, and he will do that), Gomez said in an interview with DZMM on Sunday, Nov. 30.

At the same time, Gomez said the Palace acknowledged the growing public frustration over the flood control scandal and the surge of protests across the country, but noted that the government remains committed to addressing the issue thoroughly and responsibly "He will not be distracted. Although yung mga calls na 'yan, yung mga reklamo ng sambayanan, nararamdaman namin, naririnig namin sila. Alam naming galit sila, alam naming naiinip sila (Although those calls, those complaints from the public we feel them, we hear them. We know they are angry; we know they are growing impatient),' Gomez added.

"But this is what I can say: we hear you. We feel you, and we will not disappoint you. The President will not disappoint you," he further said.

Gomez pointed out that in the case of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scandal, it took about a year for charges to be filed in court.