PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday cited gains in prosecuting those responsible for massive corruption in government flood control projects, pointing to impending charges against his own cousin, former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
In his penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA), the president said the government would follow where the evidence would lead to unmask the mastermind behind the flood control bribery scandal that has rocked his administration.
He noted that charges had already been filed against the contractors, high-ranking officials, and even lawmakers involved in the alleged ghost flood control projects.
"And we reached the point wherein according to the Ombudsman, the filing of multiple charges against the former speaker," the president said in Filipino, without referring to Romualdez by name. “Painful as this may be for me, we have to do what is right.” The president stressed that his duty is to the Filipino people above all else.
“I am not the president just for my family, I am not the president just for my friends. I am the president of the Philippines and my duty is for you, my fellow Filipinos," he said.
The Office of the Ombudsman on July 20 announced the filing of two separate complaints for preliminary investigation against Romualdez for plunder and violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. After the speech, Romualdez said he respected the president’s statement regarding the impending charges against him but again denied any wrongdoing.
“While this is painful for my family, I respect the President's statement. I have never asked for any favors or special treatment,” Romualdez said.
Relief for consumers A highlight of the president’s address was his vow to bring down the cost of electricity, as he urged Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001.
“When we talk of lowering prices, in my view, it is time to remove the systems loss [charge] that is being passed on to consumers. This is being passed on to consumers and put in the bill, subject also to value-added tax,” Marcos said.
He pointed out that the consumers should not be blamed for systems losses, and it is not right for utility firms to ask consumers to pay for them.
Under the Epira, distribution utilities such as Meralco may automatically collect pass-through charges, including systems loss charges.
“Therefore, we, the people, request... no, we demand for the immediate amendment of the Epira and to prohibit charging systems loss against consumers, including the value added tax thereon,” Marcos said, eliciting loud applause from the gallery.
Marcos also asked the help of Congress to pass a law that will make it easier for more Filipinos to install solar panels on their homes.
“To make installing solar panels and battery storage systems in the homes of the people simple, easy, and affordable, I ask Congress to pass the Sariling Kuryente or Own Electricity Act,” Marcos said.
Tax relief Marcos also called on Congress to pass legislation expanding income tax exemptions to include workers earning less than P350,000 annually.
Apart from workers' income tax exemption, Marcos also pushed for the exemption of minimum corporate income tax for small businesses, and amnesty for those who have not paid their income tax on time, estate, value-added tax, and penalties.
The president’s speech also touched on tighter watch on budgets.
Marcos said that since he exposed the flood control bribery scam last year, the government has made sure that not a single centavo would be lost in graft. He said almost P20 billion worth of assets of those accused in the scandal have been frozen while over P800 million were immediately returned to the [National] Treasury." The president lauded the public for bringing to his attention their complaints. "Your involvement in government [affairs] is the key against anomalies," he said in Filipino. "Aside from flood control projects, all [government] projects were carefully studied -- from planning, prices, and up to implementation," he said.
"We were able to save the public's money which almost fell into the pockets of unscrupulous officials. And we instead used it for the welfare of the people," he said.
Help for OFWs The president said the government mobilized funds to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the war in the Middle East. He said the government repatriated over 12,000 OFWs while over 140,000 OFWs received food, financial, medical, and shelter assistance.
Marcos said the repatriates were given the chance to make a fresh start through the Aksyon Fund and OWWA-Kabuhayan program. They were also included in the Bayanihan para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa job fairs.
He said the returning OFWs, who were previously teachers, will be hired in public schools where they are needed most.
Oil supply crisis The president also said due to the Philippines' good relations with many countries, "we were able to ensure sufficient oil supply for our needs" amid the war between the United States and Iran.
"Despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz we were able to purchase and import [oi] from several sources, such as Japan, South Korea, Oman, India and even Russia and China," he said.
"We also coordinated with Iran for the safety of thousands of our seafarers who are [trapped] in the Strait of Hormuz," he said. South China Sea dispute Marcos addressed the maritime dispute with China, specifically highlighting the 2016 Arbitral Award in favor of the Philippines.
"This is not a claim that we advance alone, nor one that we will abandon,” he said. “Your government will do all that is necessary to continue upholding this award, utilizing every peaceful and legal means available to the republic against any attempt, foreign or domestic, to undermine this achievement." In the wake of recent denunciations by China, the president said the Philippine stands firm on its South China Sea claims.
"Let me remind our friends and our detractors: Filipinos are a noble, kind, gracious, and great race. We are not greedy. We are not racists. We are not liars. We are respectful, and we are dignified. We are Filipinos, and we do not yield." WITH PNA
