Malacañang expressed confidence Monday that the Philippines would continue to attract investors despite allegations of corruption in infrastructure projects, citing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s firm stance against abuses and irregularities.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos’ strong anti-corruption stance reassures the public of the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, which would surely boost investors’ confidence.

“We all know that investors want to invest in countries whose leaders fight corruption, whose leaders are willing to put in jail people who are corrupt, and that is what the President is doing right now,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

“Ang Pangulo ay matapang na lumabas upang ipaalam sa tao ang maaaring pang-aabuso sa kaban ng bayan. With that, we believe na lahat ng investors ay mas hahangaan ang Pangulo dahil lumalaban sa korapsyon.”

The Palace official said President Marcos is the only leader who initiated an investigation into wide-scale anomalies in infrastructure projects even under his own administration.

“Walang sinuman sa ngayon na nalalaman tayo na pinaimbestigahan niya ang sariling administrasyon; lahat halos ay nagmamalinis,” Castro noted.

President Marcos issued Executive Order No. 94 on September 11, creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate and recommend appropriate charges against government officials, employees, and individuals involved in anomalies in flood control and related projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) within the last 10 years.

The President named retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. as ICI chairperson, and former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo as the two ICI members. | PND