No merry Christmas for flood culprits - BBM

Cases filed by gov't solid, says President

- By BELLA CARIASO

The Disacsys luxury cars have been put up for auction and opened to public viewing yesterday at the Bureau of Customs grounds in Manila. Photo shows President Marcos giving an update on his administration's fight against corruption in flood control projects during a press conference at Malacañang's Presidential Broadcast Studio.

(NOEL BABLELATE)

There would be no merry Christmas for officials and the others linked to corruption in flood control projects as they would be behind bars by then, President Marcos said yesterday, amid concerns raised by some quarters that no one has been held to account more than 100 days since his promise of action.

"Before Christmas, many of those named here... their case will be over, their case will be complete. They will be jailed. They won’t have a merry Christmas. Before Christmas, they will be locked up," Marcos told a press conference at Malacañang.

He said it is important that the cases to be filed against concerned government officials are strong.

"To these shameless people who are stealing the people’s money: your happy days are over. We are going to chase you down," he said.

Marcos stressed that while he wants justice to be served quickly, the government has already learned from the past that rushing things could do more harm than good.

"It’s better to be careful and take a little longer than to rush and make mistakes. You know, we’re afraid that those we linked to this shamelessness will get away with it because of a legal technicality," the Chief Executive said.

He pointed out that three months after his promise in his State of the Nation Address in July to make corrupt officials accountable, his administration is more confident of accomplishing three things.