Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not interfere in upcoming House investigation into the controversial Manila Bay dolomite beach project.
The artificial beach, built during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has drawn criticism over its environmental impact and alleged link to recent flooding in Metro Manila.
Emphasizing the separation of powers between the Executive and Legislative branches, Castro distanced the Palace from the planned congressional probe.
“Unang una po muli, ipapaala natin na may separation of powers. So, kung ano man po ang magiging trabaho at gagawing hakbang ng House of Representatives sa pag-iimbestiga dito sa Dolomite Beach ay ‘yan naman po ang kanilang trabaho at hindi po hahadlang sa ano mang hakbang ang Pangulo patungkol diyan,” she said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
However, the Palace official acknowledged that the hearing could help determine whether the artificial beach contributed to the recent flooding or involved any irregularities in its implementation.
“At maaari na rin po talagang maging hakbang ito para makita kung talaga ba ‘tong nagkaroon ng anomalya, kung meron bang naidulot ito sa nangyayaring pagbaha sa Metro Manila at kung nakaapekto ito sa kalikasan ng ating bansa,” she added.
Castro said it was not right to call the House investigation was politically motivated, stressing that the probe is warranted. “Hindi naman po ibig sabihin na kapag po iniimbestigahan ang mga proyekto ng nakaraang administrasyon ito ay pamumulitika lamang,” she said.
She further argued that ignoring past projects would imply blanket absolution of all previous actions. “So, tama naman po ito pero muli ang sabi ng Pangulo at ng administrasyong ito, hindi po sila makikialam kung ano po ang ginagawa ng mga mambabatas natin sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga,” Castro said.
She also warned critics against falsely linking Marcos to the probe, challenging them to prove any presidential involvement before making accusations.
“Bago sila magsalita niyan patunayan muna nila ang Pangulo ang behind dito sa Dolomite beach probe. Kasi kung wala at nag-speculate lang tayo, sasabihin nila na ang Pangulo ang behind dito, hindi naman po iyong makatwiran at unfair naman po ‘yan sa Pangulo,” Castro said. (Betheena Unite)
