House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has expressed full support for an "independent scrutiny" into corruption allegations in government.
In a statement on Friday, Romualdez assured the public that the House of Representatives "will never condone corruption," whether in public works, local governance, or any other part of government service.
“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. Allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated thoroughly and addressed decisively,” said Romualdez.
“I fully support initiatives for independent scrutiny and fair prosecution to ensure that those who betray public trust are held accountable under the law,” he added.
His remarks come after calls from several major business organizations and civil society groups for the government to put an end to corruption in the wake of reports on “ghost projects” and alleged fund-sharing among contractors, lawmakers, and officials.
“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 that the House of Representatives has committed to uphold,” he said.
The Speaker also highlighted that the 20th Congress has already introduced reforms to promote accountability in government spending.
These include greater transparency in budget hearings and bicameral deliberations, stricter oversight of lump-sum and unprogrammed appropriations, and stronger collaboration with watchdog groups and civil society organizations to monitor project spending.
He added that pending measures, such as the proposed Budget Modernization Act, would institutionalize a performance-based, cash-based, and results-oriented budget system.
“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 then urged the private sector and civic groups to continue working with Congress to ensure that reforms are implemented effectively.
