By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the fight against corruption remains one of the most serious concerns and priorities of his administration, stressing that public funds lost to graft deprive Filipinos of essential services and opportunities.
Speaking during a joint press conference with visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Malacañang, Marcos said corruption weakens the government’s ability to deliver programs and projects for the public.
Marcos said his administration’s fight against corruption in the Philippines is “as serious as it can get.”
“Every government, every entity, every business entity, every government feels the corrosive influence of corruption. This completely changes the way government can work. And it limits governments to such an extent that many of the things that are… wished for, that are necessary for services to the people… government is unable to deliver,” he said.
The President said his administration’s anti-corruption campaign required sweeping reforms to dismantle abusive practices that had become embedded in parts of government.
“There was no way to do it easily or painlessly. We had to turn everything on its head and to make very, very clear that these abusive practices that we had to suffer from before will no longer be allowed,” he said.
The President said authorities are continuing efforts to uncover how irregularities developed within government systems and to hold accountable those responsible.
“We have to discover that, so we don’t go and do it again and make the same mistakes,” he said. “We have to find those who are found to be part of this system of corruption, that they will be punished, and that they will provide restitution to the Filipino people.”
Last year, Marcos ordered a comprehensive audit and inspection of flood control projects nationwide after questions were raised over billions of pesos spent on infrastructure that allegedly failed to mitigate flooding in several areas.
Government agencies have since filed administrative and criminal complaints against several individuals linked to allegedly anomalous infrastructure projects, while hundreds of flood control projects remain under review.
The Chief Executive said corruption involving public funds is particularly unacceptable because it directly affects ordinary Filipinos.
“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,” the President added, ensuring accountability remains essential to restoring public trust and improving government services.
“There could not be a more serious subject in the discussions in my government,” he said.
