Marcos’s mention of Romualdez in the fifth SONA shows his resolve to fight corruption, but it must be strengthened beyond rhetoric – analysts.
The decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to open the Fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) by vowing to hold accountable those accused of involvement in flood control projects, including former Speaker of the House Martin G. Romualdez, shows the administration’s determination to fight corruption, but their credibility depends on impartial surprise, full political accountability, full accountability and institutional.
“The President’s decision to open SONA to address allegations of flood control was politically significant. It showed awareness that restoring public trust requires addressing allegations of corruption, even when it involves close political supporters,” said Gary D. Ador Dionisio, director of the School of Justice and Governance at De La Salle-College of St. BusinessWorld via Viber message.
“However, credibility will depend on whether investigations lead to impartial prosecutions, institutional reforms, and full accountability – not just rhetoric,” he added.
Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a colleague at the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center, expressed similar sentiments, saying that the President’s speech about the former Speaker of the House is very important in showing the sincerity and magnitude of the administration’s anti-corruption campaign.
“Talking about the previous Speaker is important to show the determination and the magnitude of the anti-corruption campaign. It seems that only the first family will be protected. Anyone beyond this circle is good for the Ombudsman,” said Mr. Yusingco told BusinessWorld via message chat.
He added that the President’s acceptance that the Office of the Ombudsman is now handling the matter is also important, indicating that civil society organizations should now focus their attention on the anti-fraud movement.
However, Mr. Yusingco expressed disappointment with the President’s limited discussion on how his administration intends to fix corruption within the executive branch.
In the opening minutes of his SONA, Mr. Marcos immediately tackled one of the key issues that Filipinos had been urging him to address, based on many studies prior to SONA: corruption related to flood control projects, which he had also criticized during his speech last year.
Mr. Marcos said that over the past year, an investigation into alleged wrongdoing has led to the filing of complaints against lawmakers and contractors and may include his first cousin, Mr. Romualdez, according to earlier statements of the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Talking about the speech of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman and paghahain ng patung-patong about dating (House) Speaker. [We have reached the point where, according to the Ombudsman, multiple charges are nearing filing against the former House Speaker],” said Mr. Marcos. “Masakit man sa akin ito talin kailangan nating gawin ang tama [Painful as this may be for me, we must do what is right].
“Hindi ako pansulu ng aking paliyama, hindi ako pansulu ng aking kaibigan. [I am not the President of my family, nor am I the President of my friends. I am the President of the Philippines, and my duty is to you, my fellow Filipinos],” said the President as well.
Mr. Romualdez, in a statement issued after the SONA, said he respects the President’s words and has never sought special treatment or favors. He maintains that he has not broken the law and is determined to prove his innocence.
After the President’s speech, the first investigative team of the Ombudsman on Tuesday ordered Mr. Romualdez and three others did not respond to file their affidavits regarding the flood control complaints. The defendants were given 15 days after receiving the order to submit their objections, after which the case will be submitted for resolution.
With less than two years left for Mr. Marcos’ election, Mr. Dionisio said the President’s legacy will be judged not by the promises he made in his fifth SONA, “but by whether he used his remaining years to strengthen institutions, support accountability, and make changes that Filipinos can truly feel.”
To Mr. Yusingco, President Marcos can strengthen his anti-corruption legacy by establishing transparency and accountability within the executive branch, rather than relying on what he described as “the current FOI (Freedom of Information) regulation. – Edg Adrian A. Eva
