President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said corruption continues to be one of the most serious threats to governance in the country, warning that it directly undermines the delivery of basic services to Filipinos.
Speaking during a joint press conference in Malacañang with visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Marcos said public funds lost to graft translate to lost opportunities for essential government programs.
“The fight against corruption in the Philippines is as serious as it can get,” Marcos said.
He stressed that corruption weakens state institutions and limits the government’s ability to deliver services to the public.
“Every government, every entity, every business entity, every government feels the corrosive influence of corruption… This completely changes the way government can work. It limits governments to such an extent that many of the things that are wished for, that are necessary as services to the people, government is unable to deliver,” he said.
Marcos said his administration is pursuing reforms aimed at dismantling long-standing abusive practices within government systems.
“There was no way to do it easily or painlessly. We had to turn everything on its head to make very, very clear that these abusive practices that we had to suffer from before will no longer be allowed,” he said.
He added that authorities are continuing investigations to trace how irregularities developed and to ensure accountability for those involved.
“We have to discover that, so we don’t go and do it again and make the same mistakes,” Marcos said, adding that those found responsible “will be punished and they will provide restitution to the Filipino people.”
Earlier this year, Marcos ordered a nationwide audit and inspection of flood control projects following reports of alleged anomalies involving billions of pesos in government spending.
Several agencies have since filed administrative and criminal cases against individuals linked to questionable infrastructure projects, while hundreds of flood control projects remain under review.
Marcos said misuse of public funds is especially unacceptable because it directly affects ordinary citizens.
“What they have taken is not my money or your money or a company’s money. It’s the money for the people,” he said.
“That is the worst sin of all, as far as I’m concerned,” he added.
The President said ensuring accountability remains central to restoring public trust and improving government performance.
“There could not be a more serious subject in the discussions in my government,” he said. (with reports from PNA)
Photo courtesy of PCO
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