He called it a deeply “corrosive influence” that weakens institutions and hinders the government’s ability to deliver essential services to the public.
On Tuesday, June 16, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said during a joint press conference with German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was in the country for an official state visit, that his administration is firmly committed to combating corruption,
Marcos said corruption remains one of the most serious concerns confronting his administration and continues to be a major focus of government discussions and reforms.
“Every entity, every business entity, every government feels the corrosive influence of corruption,” he stressed. “This completely changes the way government can work. And it limits governments to such an extent that many of the things that are…necessary for services to the people, the government is unable to deliver.”
“And that’s how important that is (fight against corruption)…and that’s why in this anti-corruption drive that I have started, there was no way to do it easy or painlessly,” Marcos also pointed out.
The Chief Executive also emphasized that addressing corruption requires decisive reforms to dismantle abusive practices and restore public trust in institutions.
“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,” Marcos added.
He also regarded that his administration’s anti-corruption campaign seeks not only to stop irregularities but also to understand how systemic weaknesses arose, in order to prevent similar problems from recurring.
“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,” PBBM furthered.
The President also underscored the importance of accountability, stressing that individuals found to have participated in corrupt practices must face the consequences of their actions and provide restitution to the public.
For him, resources lost to corruption are not merely government funds but public resources intended to improve the lives of Filipinos.
“What they have taken is not my money or your money or a company’s money. It’s the money from the people,” the President said, who also reiterated that strengthening transparency, accountability, and good governance remains essential to ensuring that government programs and services reach their intended beneficiaries and contribute to national development.
Lastly, he noted that the administration’s efforts are guided by the “objective of building stronger institutions and restoring confidence in public service, in line with the vision of a more responsive and accountable government.”