President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his administration’s commitment to combating corruption, saying reforms would not be easy and that those involved in corrupt practices would be held accountable.
Speaking during a joint press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Malacañang, Marcos said the fight against corruption remains one of the most pressing concerns of his government.
“As serious as it can get,” the President said when asked about the administration’s anti-corruption efforts.
Marcos noted that corruption undermines the ability of governments to deliver essential services, saying its effects are “corrosive” and can severely limit what the government can accomplish for the public.
He stressed that addressing the problem requires overhauling systems that have allowed abusive practices to persist.
“That’s why in this anti-corruption drive that I have started, there is no way to do it easily or painlessly. We have to turn everything on its head and to make very, very clear that these abusive practices that we have to suffer from before will no longer be allowed,” he said.
The President said his administration must also determine how existing systems became vulnerable to corruption to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Marcos also vowed that those found to be involved in corrupt schemes would face punishment and be required to return what had been taken from the public.
“What they have taken is not my money, your money, or a company’s money, it’s the money from the people,” he said.
Calling it the “worst form of corruption,” Marcos maintained that the issue remains among the most serious matters being discussed within his administration.
