Dizon: Jail awaits kleptocrats

PUBLIC Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon warned corrupt government officials on Tuesday that they will be prosecuted with the full strength of the law.​'If there are still people planning or committing wrongdoing, they should think twice. What happened to those who are now in jail can also happen to them,' Dizon said, noting Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday reflected his administration's commitment to fight corruption.​Marcos, in his fifth SONA, stressed that the investigation into the flood scam involving officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), private contractors, and corrupt politicians would proceed based on evidence.​'I think this is one of the most honest and clearest SONAs. The president's message is simple: we should all work because our people are suffering,' Dizon said.​He stressed that the president made it clear that he would not protect political allies.​'He is not the president of his family or his friends. He is the president of all Filipinos,' Dizon said.​He cited the ongoing investigation of the Ombudsman on the alleged involvement in the scam of the president's cousin, former House of Representatives speaker Martin Romualdez.​'The Ombudsman has already said there is a preliminary investigation. Let us wait for what the Ombudsman will do,' he said.​Asked about the case of resigned Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, Dizon said authorities are working to enforce an existing warrant of arrest.​'There is already a pending warrant of arrest. Our law enforcement agencies are out to get him. There are processes that need to be followed, but he will be arrested,' Dizon said.​He refused to comment when asked if more arrests are forthcoming.​'The Ombudsman has already received important cases and documents. We have also seen that some lawmakers have already been charged before the Sandiganbayan. Let us wait for the Ombudsman's next steps,' he said.