Marcos Jr. Vows to Pursue Corruption Cases Against Former Speaker

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, reaffirming his administration's commitment to combating corruption. Notably, he announced that legal cases would soon be filed against his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is implicated in a multi-billion peso flood control corruption scandal. "I am not the President of my family. I am not the President of my friends. I am the President of the Philippines, and my duty is to you: my fellow Filipinos," Marcos stated, emphasizing his priority of serving the nation over personal ties. The declaration was met with applause from the audience. The ongoing corruption investigation has already led to the prosecution and imprisonment of several contractors, high-ranking officials, and even lawmakers. According to the Ombudsman, charges against the former Speaker are imminent. The President reported that his administration has recovered and frozen approximately 25 billion pesos in assets from those involved in corruption, with over 800 million pesos already returned to the national treasury. These funds, he stressed, will be used for the genuine welfare of the citizens. The Marcos administration has initiated reforms within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), bringing in new graduates and reliable personnel. All projects are undergoing rigorous scrutiny from planning to implementation to prevent overpricing, ensuring that materials are procured at market prices. The transparency portal, integrity chain, and collaborations with civil society organizations are being utilized to monitor projects and fund allocations. Furthermore, the President addressed the energy crisis stemming from the Middle East conflict, declaring a State of National Energy Emergency and prioritizing resources for critical programs. He highlighted the government's efforts to ensure the safety of over 2.5 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East, successfully repatriating over 12,000 individuals and providing various forms of assistance to tens of thousands more. Reintegration programs are in place to help returning OFWs find new employment opportunities. Marcos also confirmed the country's secured oil supply, with procurement from diverse sources including Japan, South Korea, Oman, India, Russia, and China, ensuring a supply that can last for nearly two months. This strategy has allowed for a gradual adjustment of petroleum prices, mitigating the immediate impact on consumers. The SONA underscored the administration's key pledges: the fight against corruption, economic stability, and the safety of its citizens. The proactive approach to prosecuting even those within political circles signals a significant step towards restoring public trust.