Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez delivered a stern warning to public officials on Monday, declaring that the House of Representatives will not tolerate hypocrisy, evasion, or the misuse of public funds, a press release from the House of Representatives said.
In a forceful statement at the opening of plenary deliberations on the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, Romualdez signaled that 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, underscoring that the House will demand full transparency from all.
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.
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.
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 allocated, well spent and protected from abuse.”
As the House opens plenary debates on the 2025 budget, he 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.”*
