President Marcos declared that his loyalty is to the Filipino people—not to his family or political allies—as he highlighted the administration's anti-corruption campaign during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In his speech, the President, who was visibly serious from the moment he started his address, acknowledged that the investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects has already reached his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The President disclosed that, according to the Ombudsman, multiple cases against a former House Speaker are now nearing filing.

"Masakit man sa akin ito, pero kailangan nating gawin ang tama (Painful as this may be for me, we have to do what is right),” he said.

“Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo, ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino (I am not the president of my family. I am not the president of my friends. I am the President of the Philippines, and my duty is to you, my fellow Filipinos),” he added.

President Marcos recalled that it had been a year since he first exposed corruption in flood control projects and said the administration fulfilled its promise to pursue those responsible.

"Gaya ng aking ipinangako sa inyo, nagsagawa tayo ng malawakan at mala-limang imbestigasyon, na walang pagkiling kahit kanino man (As I promised you, we conducted a broad and exhaustive investigation without favoring anyone),” he said.

“Masusi nating sinuri at sinundan kung saan tayo itinuro ng ebidensya. Lahat ng kailangang gawin ay ginawa natin upang matunton ang puno't dulo (We carefully examined everything and followed where the evidence led us. We did everything necessary to get to the bottom of it),” he added.

Reporting on the government's year-long investigation into the alleged corruption, Marcos said contractors, senior Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and lawmakers have already been charged and jailed.

He said the government conducted what he described as a broad and exhaustive investigation that followed the evidence without favor to anyone.

Marcos added that authorities ensured that public funds intended for allegedly defective, fake, or non-existent projects would no longer be released to contractors and officials involved in the scheme.

According to the President, nearly P25 billion worth of money and assets linked to the accused have been recovered, frozen, or preserved, with more than P800 million already returned to the National Treasury.

He added that all assets eventually recovered from those found liable would be returned to the government's coffers, while the prosecution of the cases has been left to the Ombudsman and the strengthened National Prosecution Service.

Marcos also expressed confidence that the courts would fairly resolve the cases, saying the "wheels of justice are moving."

Beyond filing criminal cases, the President said the administration has begun institutional reforms within the DPWH, including hiring new graduates and career personnel, reviewing all infrastructure projects from planning to implementation, aligning construction material prices with prevailing market rates, and strengthening project monitoring through the Transparency Portal, Integrity Chain, and civil society participation.

Marcos likewise credited public complaints submitted through the "Isumbong sa Pangulo" platform for helping uncover alleged anomalies, saying citizen participation remains essential in the fight against corruption.

“Nakatulong ang lahat ng mga ulat at hinaing ninyo sa Isumbong sa Pangulo. Ang inyong pagbabantay at pakikialam sa pamahalaan ay ang susi sa paglaban sa katiwalian (Your reports and complaints through Isumbong sa Pangulo have helped. Your vigilance and participation in government are key to fighting corruption),” he said.