House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday expressed full support for the strong statement made by the business community and civil society groups urging the government to end corruption.
“Let me be clear: the House of the People will never condone corruption, whether in public works, local governance, or any other area of government service. Allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated thoroughly and addressed decisively,” Romualdez said.
He also backed independent scrutiny and fair prosecution, stressing that those who betray public trust must be held accountable.
Romualdez issued the statement after several business groups and civil society organizations called for transparency amid ongoing investigations into questionable flood control projects.
He highlighted the House’s reforms in the budget process to restore public trust, including greater transparency in hearings, stricter oversight of lump-sum and unprogrammed funds, enhanced citizen participation, and institutionalized budget modernization.
“These reforms are not mere rhetoric — they are concrete actions designed to ensure that every peso in the national budget is allocated properly, spent prudently, and accounted for responsibly,” he said.
Romualdez urged business leaders, professionals, and civic groups to work closely with Congress to ensure full implementation of these reforms.
“Together, let us build a governance culture where every peso is protected, every project is transparent, and every public official is held to the highest standard of service,” he added.