Marcos: Fight against corruption 'as serious as it can get'
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO)
Stressing that corruption "completely changes" how the government functions, President Marcos reaffirmed that his administration's efforts against corrupt practices are serious.
The fight against corruption in the country, Marcos said, is "as serious as it can get."
He made the statement when asked by a member of the visiting German delegation to Malacañang on Tuesday, June 16, about the country's resolve to fight corruption, citing investment and trade security.
The President underscored that corruption slowly damages and weakens every organization, business, and government it touches.
"This completely changes the way government can work. And it limits governments to such an extent that many of the things that are – never mind that are wished for, but that are necessary for services to the people are not – government is unable to deliver," Marcos said in a joint press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
"And that's how important that is. That's how important the effects of corruption are. And that's why in this anti-corruption drive that I have started, there was no way to do it easily or painlessly," Marcos added.
"We had to turn everything on its head and to make very, very clear that these abusive practices that we had to suffer from before will no longer be allowed," he further said.
The Chief Executive stressed that his administration needs to determine how it started and how it reached its current state.
"We have to find those who are found to be part of this system of corruption, that they will be punished, and that they will provide restitution to the Filipino people," Marcos said.
"Because what they have taken is not my money or your money or a company's money. It's the money from the people," he added.
He further said that it "is the worst form of corruption" he is concerned about.