THE SIT DOWN WITH PRESIDENT MARCOS: Give ICI a chance; many suspects likely guilty

President Marcos expressed belief that many suspects in the large-scale anomalies in public works spending, particularly flood control projects, are likely guilty but emphasized that the state must present strong legal cases.

- ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

“Now, we know many of these people are not innocent. But if you’re going to bring them to court, you must have a very strong case,” the President said in an interview with Manila Bulletin’s newest video podcast “The Sit Down”.

President Marcos, however, appealed for patience and due process as the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) continues its fact-finding into alleged irregularities in infrastructure spending, saying the commission must be allowed to build airtight cases before anyone is prosecuted.

The President defended the ICI's work and warned against rushing prosecutions based on incomplete evidence.

"This is a process. Much of what we've heard are allegations... We have to prove it. We don't want to go after people who are innocent," he said in the video podcast uploaded to Manila Bulletin's online platforms on Monday, Oct. 6.

Marcos cautioned that hasty prosecutions with weak or incomplete evidence could lead to losing cases in court-an outcome he described as worse than doing nothing.

"Look, what will happen-we rushed it, our evidence was incomplete, our evidence was weak, but we forced it, and we lost the case.

Can you imagine? I think that will be much, much, much worse," he said.