Manila: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday vowed to press on with his administration’s campaign to rid the government of corruption, saying the process ‘will be hard and sometimes painful’ but necessary to rebuild public trust. Speaking at the awarding of the 2025 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos in Malaca±ang, Marcos said the honorees – teachers, soldiers, and police officers – embodied integrity and service amid eroding confidence in public institutions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President emphasized the importance of integrity in public service, stating, ‘Bawat tapat na guro, sundalo, at pulis ay isang tagumpay laban sa katiwalian (Every honest teacher, soldier, and police officer is a victory against corruption).’ He called for a continued cleansing of the government to ensure that officials are deserving of the trust placed in them by the people.
Marcos acknowledged the challenges ahead in combating corruption, describing it as an uphill battle that must persist for the benefit of future generations. ‘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 – a nation they can be proud of,’ he stated.
His comments come at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to address alleged irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects, including issues such as ‘ghost projects,’ overpricing, and fund misuse in local flood mitigation programs. To tackle these issues, Marcos has established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, tasked with examining public infrastructure projects from the past decade.
During the ceremony, Marcos also awarded the Medallion of Excellence to this year’s 10 honorees-four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers-recognized for their outstanding contributions to education, peacekeeping, and public safety. The Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos program, now in its 40th year, honors public servants who exemplify ‘competence, dedication, and integrity.’
Each awardee received PHP1 million, ‘The Flame’ trophy, and the Medallion of Excellence. ‘Your stories give us reason to believe in the goodness of our people,’ Marcos told the awardees. ‘You remind us that integrity and excellence must be at the heart of public service.’