Amid growing public anger on the flood control projects issue, House Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed on Friday, Sept. 5 the joint call of dozens of business and civil society groups against corruption in government.
“I welcome and respect the strong statement made by our partners in the business community and civil society calling for an end to corruption in government. Their concern echoes the very principles of transparency, accountability, and integrity that the House of Representatives has committed to uphold,” Romualdez, president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), said.
Earlier, 30 of the country’s biggest and most influential business groups strongly condemned graft and corruption in government, particularly at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government units (LGUs), and the Commission on Audit (CoA).
These groups also brought up punitive action, and said they would blacklist businessmen and contractors who would be proven to have colluded with corrupt officials.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the groups said their appeal was not simply to “moderate greed” but a collective demand for corrupt officials to stop and show mercy to the suffering people.
Romualdez stressed that Congress will not tolerate wrongdoing in any branch of government. “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."
He added: “Allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated thoroughly and addressed decisively. I fully support initiatives for independent scrutiny and fair prosecution to ensure that those who betray public trust are held accountable under the law.”
The Speaker noted that in the 20th Congress, lawmakers have already implemented sweeping reforms in the budget process to restore public trust.
The Leyte 1st district congressman cited greater transparency in this year's budget hearings and upcoming bicameral deliberations, which are now open to the public and livestreamed so taxpayers can see how funds are allocated.
Romualdez also highlighted stricter oversight of lump-sum and unprogrammed appropriations. Under this, detailed justifications from agencies before approval or release are sought.
The House chief also emphasized stronger citizen participation through engagement with watchdog groups and civil society organizations to help monitor projects and spending.
He said the chamber is pushing budget modernization through measures such as the proposed Budget Modernization Act, which will institutionalize a performance-based, cash-based, and results-oriented spending framework.
“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,” Romualdez said.
He called on the private sector, professionals, and civic groups to join Congress in ensuring the reforms reach full implementation.
“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,” the Speaker said.