YEARENDER: Marcos' words in 2025

Malacañang said the year 2025 could be the best yet the worst of times for President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.

This year marked a series of decisive actions by the President as he initiated and pursued accountability in public service, running after government officials, including his allies, who have been linked particularly to anomalous flood control projects. 

Here are some of the remarkable statements made by Marcos in 2025, including those about exposing and pursuing action against corruption in his own administration:

''We followed all the legal procedures that are necessary... you will find that it is proper and correct.''

Before his exposé on corruption, the Marcos administration was greeted with controversy due to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court in relation to his bloody drug war. 

Marcos has since maintained that everything was proper in that arrest. 

Marcos has since insisted that the government only acted on the request of Interpol, denying that the arrest of Duterte was a violation of Philippine sovereignty. 

''Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo na sa mga anak natin na magmamana ng utang nung ibinulsa niyo ang pera!''

(You should be ashamed of our houses that were swept away or submerged in the floods. You should be especially ashamed of our children who will inherit the debt when you pocketed the money.)

Fast forward to his State of the Nation Address last June, Marcos served notice to government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, that they will be dealt with in accordance with the law. 

Marcos said those who stole public funds should be ashamed of their ill actions. 

As he called for accountability on anomalous flood control projects, Marcos once inspected a reinforced concrete riverwall project in Barangay Piel, Baliuag in August. 

He said if this project was properly implemented, it would have greatly helped in the province's irrigation system.

''I'm not disappointed, I'm angry.''

In another inspection, Marcos sought explanation from St. Timothy Construction Corporation as regards to its supposed failed flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan. 

''What possible excuse do they have for not doing this... hindi ko maisip...''

Amid all the corruption issues, Marcos, including his family, has been urged to also undergo lifestyle checks, including the publication of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

As the Office of the Ombudsman eased restrictions on the release of SALN, the President made a commitment that he would publicize it to proper authorities once requested. 

''It (SALN) will be available as available to whoever would like to.''

The President also faced drug allegations coming from no other than his elder sister, Senator Imee Marcos. He has since shrugged off accusations of using illegal drugs made by his predecessor, as he also ignored calls to subject himself to drug tests. 

In his response to this, an emotional Marcos admitted that he does not want to talk about family matters in public. However, he said he and his other relatives were worried about the senator. 

''That lady that you see talking on TV is not my sister.'

Marcos also divulged that he and his sister were no longer in the same circles, political or otherwise. 

Aside from his sister, former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who was once his ally but later implicated in the flood control mess, accused Marcos of being involved in P100 billion insertions in the controversial 2025 national budget. 

The Chief Executive challenged Co to come home and face the accusations thrown against him if he was really innocent. 

''Ako di ako nagtatago eh, kung mayroon kang akusasyon sa akin, nandito ako. Gawin niyang pareho para patas lang naman.''

In the fight against corruption, Marcos committed that personalities would be jailed before Christmas Day. He said their glory days were over since the government is determined to run after them. 

''Wala silang Merry Christmas.''

The President has since been updating the public through video messages about the status of the investigation and prosecution of those linked to corruption. 

Among those personalities arrested was contractor Sarah Discaya. —VAL, GMA Integrated News