President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has vowed a sustained and aggressive campaign against corruption and abuse, describing the necessary systemic changes as a “major surgery” that, while disruptive, is essential for the nation’s long-term recovery.
Speaking at a media fellowship in Malacañang Palace on Wednesday night, Marcos acknowledged the pain the public is enduring as a result of the necessary crackdown, stating, “We knew that what we were starting would really be disruptive… when you have to excise the cancer out of such a complicated system, you need to do some very major surgery… you will bleed.”
The President expressed confidence that the Filipino people, though currently “bleeding,” would “heal very, very quick” from the anguish caused by decades of ill practices and entitlement. He stressed that this difficult process must be undertaken to prevent the continuation of anomalies discovered over the last three decades.
Marcos specifically reaffirmed his commitment to holding wrongdoers accountable, mentioning the ongoing investigation into corruption within flood control projects. He reiterated his resolve to file “airtight cases” against those involved, prioritizing strong evidence to prevent cases from being dismissed on technicalities.
In addition to the war on corruption, the President also urged members of the media to join the fight against “fake news” and misinformation. He lamented that baseless conspiracy theories have become dangerously prevalent, now often treated with the same weight and credibility as professional press reports, making it crucial for journalists to help the public be more discerning.
