HOUSE TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICIALS FULLY ACCOUNTABLE IN USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS – ROMUALDEZ

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday warned public officials 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, Speaker 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.

“Hindi maaaring magturo ng daliri ang may sariling kasalanan. Sa harap ng Kongreso, lahat ay dadaan sa tamang proseso, at walang makakatakas sa pananagutan,” he said, underscoring that the House will demand full transparency from all.

Speaker 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 reinforced that public funds must be used solely for the benefit of the people, not for personal enrichment. “Ang pera ng bayan ay hindi para sa pansariling pakinabang ng iilan. Tungkulin natin na tiyakin na bawat piso ay ginagamit para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” Speaker Romualdez stressed.

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,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“Walang makakalusot sa ating pagsusuri. Tayo ang boses at mata ng taumbayan, at sa kanilang pangalan, tayo ang magbabantay laban sa pag-abuso at korapsiyon,” he added, reiterating the House’s commitment to its role as the people’s watchdog.

Speaker Romualdez 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.

Romualdez 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,” he said.

As the House opens plenary debates on the 2025 budget, Speaker Romualdez urged House 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.”

“Patuloy nating itaguyod ang responsableng pamamahala sa pondo ng bayan, palakasin ang ating ekonomiya, at itaguyod ang kaunlaran ng bawat Pilipino tungo sa isang Bagong Pilipinas,” he said.

“Together, we will deliver a budget that serves the best interest of the people, fulfills the goals of the eight-point socioeconomic agenda and contributes to the realization of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” Speaker Romualdez said.