Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez sternly warned public officials Sept. 16, declaring that the House of Representatives will not tolerate hypocrisy, evasion, or the misuse of public funds.
In a forceful statement at the opening of plenary deliberations on the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, Romualdez said the House would take a zero-tolerance approach toward those, who undermine accountability while conveniently ignoring their own malfeasance.
He told his colleagues that “we cannot ignore the reality that there are those who seek to undermine our work – critics who speak of accountability while conveniently ignoring their own misuse of public funds.”
“To these individuals, I say, let us be clear: this chamber will not tolerate hypocrisy, nor will it stand idle in the face of such blatant disregard for public trust,” he said.
Romualdez emphasized that the House has long upheld the principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring that every government expenditure is scrutinized with precision and aligned with national priorities. He stressed that public funds must be used solely for the benefit of the people, not for personal enrichment.
The Speaker assured the public that the House would remain uncompromising in its defense of good governance, fiscal responsibility, and the protection of taxpayers’ money. He made it clear that no individual or special interest would be given undue favor or consideration.
“This House answers to no one but the people. We will stand firm against pressure or influence, and we will guard every peso as if it were our own. The eyes of the nation are on us, and we will not fail them,” Romualdez said in a press release from his office.
He commended his colleagues for their “diligence and commitment to defending public coffers,” telling them that their priority “is the Filipino people, ensuring that public funds are responsibly allocation, well spent and protected from abuse.”
“As legislators, we are not only guardians of the national purse, but also stewards of the people’s trust. Every peso we allocate in this budget carries with it the sweat and sacrifice of millions of Filipinos, and it is our duty to ensure that these resources are spent wisely, effectively and with absolute accountability,” he said.
He said the budget policy “is designed to achieve fiscal discipline, while addressing the urgent needs of our people. It reflects the aspirations of the nation and serves as a roadmap toward stability, progress and shared prosperity.”
As the House opens plenary debates on the 2025 budget, Romualdez urged its members to “work with confidence and urgency,” since they have a duty to pass the proposed budget “swiftly, and to do so with integrity, ensuring that the nation’s goals are met and that every Filipino benefits from the fruits of our labor.” ||
