Marcos vows to continue cleansing gov't ranks despite being hard, painful

While admitting that it is not an easy task, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ensured that the government continues to cleanse its ranks.

In his speech during the awarding of the 2025 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos in Malacañang Palace, Marcos said he wants to guarantee that every public official deserves the trust of Filipinos.

''Patuloy tayo sa paglilinis ng hanay ng pamahalaan upang matiyak na ang bawat opisyal, bawat lingkod-bayan ay karapat-dapat sa tiwalang ibinibigay sa kanila ng taumbayan. Hindi madali ang laban na ito. Marami pa tayong haharapin, marami pa tayong pagdadaanan,'' Marcos said.

(We continue to cleanse our bureaucracy to ensure that every public official, every public servant deserves the trust of the Filipino public. This is not an easy fight. We will face more challenges.)

''It will be hard and sometimes it will be painful, but it will be worth it because what we are fighting for is a country that our children will inherit [and] a nation that they can be proud of, that they can be proud to say I am Filipino,'' he added.

To recall, Marcos initiated the investigation of anomalies in infrastructure projects, particularly the flood control programs, where he lambasted how some government officials used public funds for their own interests.

Metrobank awardees

Meanwhile, addressing the question of whether the government can still be trusted, Marcos shifted the focus to the 10 awardees of Metrobank as living proof of hope and integrity in public service.

“In their service, you will find your answer. Because of them, we are reminded that hope is never lost, that integrity still lives in our institutions, and that honor still defines what it means to be Filipino,” Marcos said.

Among this year’s awardees were four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers who all brought valuable contributions to the lives of many.

The President said the award has become a “beacon of integrity and inspiration, proving that even at the most difficult times, there will always be Filipinos who remain committed to serving and leading with honor.”

Marcos, meanwhile, thanked the Metrobank Foundation and its partners in the private sector – PSBank, Rotary Club of New Manila East, and Rotary Club of Makati Metro for honoring the awardees. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News