MANILA, Philippines — Cabinet officials would not be exempted from anti-graft and corruption investigation if evidence links them to budget irregularities, Malacañang said Sunday, stressing that accountability applies to all public officials regardless of rank.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement in response to claims that several Cabinet members were behind billions of pesos worth of alleged budget insertions for 2025, an allegation earlier raised by Senator Panfilo Lacson based on the so-called “Cabral files.”
Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been firm that anyone proven to be involved in wrongdoings must be held accountable.
“Anyone among the Cabinet members who may be involved and for whom there is evidence should continue to be investigated to identify the real culprit,” Castro said in a text message to reporters.
She added that the President won’t shield anyone if found truly involved.
“The President has said that whoever it may be must be held accountable if they are truly involved,” Castro added.
However, she noted that the matter is already under the jurisdiction of investigative bodies such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
She urged individuals claiming to have evidence to submit it to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, Ombudsman or DOJ.
Lacson earlier alleged that at least five Cabinet officials had “allocables” (allocations) worth billions of pesos in the proposed 2025 national budget.
Source: Cabinet officials not exempt from graft probe — Palace
