By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured the public that his administration would continue to “work very hard” on advancing the national development agenda and addressing the immediate needs of the people.
The President made the remark during a media interview following the oath-taking of newly elected officers of the Malacañang Press Corps, Malacañang Cameramen Association, and the Presidential Photojournalists Association.
Marcos noted that while politics is a “very variable” and “very volatile” practice, he expressed confidence that the “administration is still very much on solid ground in terms of support from the different sectors of society.”
“However, we work very hard to continue to earn that support from them… And we will continue to work very hard to make sure that we are doing what [the] people want. And that’s the most important thing,” he said.
Despite alleged destabilization attempts, the President acknowledged it is “dangerous” to be complacent for someone in his position, but stressed that he is open to discussions with those who have grievances and complaints.
“Kung may reklamo, bukas naman kami. Sige magreklamo kayo sabihin ninyo sa amin. If it’s something that we have to attend to, we will. Because we listen to—we try to listen to everyone,” he said.
On SALN disclosure, corruption probe
After Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla lifted the access restrictions on the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of public officials, Marcos said he is willing to make his SALN available to the public or to any requesting body, such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
“We will follow the old rules. These old rules were suspended in the last administration,” the Chief Executive said.
“And I was quite surprised to find out when I first came into office… that it was almost impossible, in fact, to get a copy of people’s SALN,” he added.
The annually filed SALN contains the true and complete assets, liabilities, and net worth, along with the financial interests and business connections of all public officials and employees.
The Ombudsman’s latest order reflects the President’s call for transparency and accountability in the government, especially amid the ICI’s investigation into anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.
Marcos stressed that he would never attempt to direct or influence the commission, noting its competence to lead the probe.
“We investigate everybody. We’ll follow the evidence. And wherever that leads is not something that we try to direct or influence,” he said. “So, let them do their work. We do not interfere with what they do. Wherever it might lead. Sinabi ko na nga ‘yan. Wala naman tayong tinatago.”
He likewise dismissed attempts to link him to the flood control corruption issue as politically motivated.
“I know that there are several—the opposition would love to bring me into this, to include me in all of this. But that’s politics. That is not to do about corruption. That is to do about politics. Gusto nila akong tanggalin. Kaya nila gagawin lahat ‘yung mga gagawin nila,” he said.
“I am confident that whatever mud might be slung at the administration, that we will be able to show that these are politically motivated and do not actually have any validation in fact.”
Bicam to be livestreamed
As part of the government’s commitment to transparency, the Chief Executive announced that Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Faustino Dy III have agreed to open the bicameral conference committee meetings for the 2026 national budget to the public via livestreaming.
Marcos said this will prevent questionable insertions, which hounded the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and alleged corruption in flood control projects.
“We will livestream the entire process so that if there are questionable, shall we say, insertions or additions or all that, it will also be clear who moved—who made those changes or who proposed those changes so that people will know.
Nevertheless, Marcos noted that the version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) amounting to P6.793-trillion passed by the House of Representatives remains aligned with the administration’s socio-economic development plan.
“From the last time that I saw the last version of the budget, wala naman akong nakita na humihiwalay doon sa plano ng national government kaya hindi siguro kailangan mag-veto,” he said.
-jpv
