President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged local government officials to help combat corruption and rebuild public trust in government institutions.
Meanwhile, Malacañang rejected renewed calls to amend the 1987 Constitution to introduce electoral reforms, saying what the country needs is not Charter change but a “change of heart” and “change of attitude” among public officials.
Speaking during the oath-taking of the new leaders of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Malacañang, Marcos acknowledged the worsening public frustrations over reports of irregularities in government service.
“Our country is facing many challenges. We are all dismayed over reports of irregularities that we see in the government,” the President said in Filipino in remarks at the oath-taking rites.
The Chief Executive stressed that his administration remains firm in upholding integrity and good governance.
“Our aspirations are clear in Bagong Pilipinas. There is no room for corruption and deceit,” he added. “We must take responsibility to eradicate this abhorrent culture of corruption that poisons public trust and robs us of a better future.”
Drawing from his own experience as a former governor of Ilocos Norte, Marcos said he understands the challenges of local governance, and urged local officials to remain steadfast in their duty to improve the lives of Filipinos.
“Let us continue to do the work that changes millions of lives. Be testaments that public service can still be honest and hopeful,” he said.
The President recently ordered an intensified crackdown on corruption following revelations of alleged kickbacks in multi-billion-peso flood control projects involving collusions between public officials and private contractors.
Marcos has created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate alleged irregularities in the implementation of flood control and related projects over the past decade, and to recommend appropriate charges against those found liable.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro said the President. does not support moves to amend the Charter at this time.
“The President does not, at this time, agree to a constitutional change. There are many ways to resolve corruption, and there are already laws that can be enforced if our public officials simply follow them),” Castro told reporters.
She stressed that reforms must start with integrity and sincerity in leadership rather than through amendments to the country’s basic law.
“Perhaps, constitutional change is not appropriate at this time. What we need is a change of attitude among officials, a change of heart — to be pro-Filipino and patriotic,” she said.
House Minority Leader and 4Ps Rep. Marcelino Libanan earlier proposed constitutional amendments to introduce what he called “genuine electoral reforms.”
Libanan made the suggestion following Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for a snap elections covering top elective officials.
Malacañang dismissed Cayetano’s snap elections proposal as “wishful thinking,” saying the President was focused on addressing the needs of those affected by recent calamities.
