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Marcos: Budget can fund priorities if corruption is stopped

Philippine News Agency

By Darryl John Esguerra
August 6, 2025, 8:49 pm

NEW DELHI -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the national budget could sufficiently fund his administration's priority programs in the next three years, if public funds are used properly and corruption is eliminated.

"Oo, mayroon. Basta't 'yung pera ng Pilipinas ay ginagamit sa tamang paraan. 'Yung perang nakalaan para sa classroom, ginamit talaga sa classroom (There is enough budget. As long as the country's money is used properly. If the money allocated for classrooms is really used for classrooms)," Marcos said in the latest episode of the BBM Podcast aired Wednesday.

He cited instances where budgeted infrastructure projects are shortchanged due to corruption, with only half of the intended output delivered while the rest of the funds are pocketed by corrupt officials.

"Hindi nakalagay doon, dalawang classroom, ginawa lang isang classroom. Binulsa na 'yung natira (What's written is two classrooms, but only one is built. The rest is pocketed)," the President said.

"'Pag talagang mahigpit tayo at tama ang gamit 'nung ating pondo, mayroon tayo (If we are strict and spend our funds properly, we have enough)."

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week, the President took aim at corruption in public infrastructure, singling out flood control projects where misuse of funds has contributed to repeated flooding in communities.

Marcos has since ordered a full audit of flood control projects over the last three years and directed legal action against individuals and groups involved in fund misuse or profiteering.

He said cutting corruption is key to ensuring that the national budget directly benefits the Filipino people and delivers long-promised reforms.

Filipino workers 'best asset' vs. PH debt

Marcos also addressed concerns about the country's PHP17.27 trillion debt as of June, likening government borrowing to corporate investments.

"'Yung utang na 'yun, ginagamit pang-invest para palakihin ang negosyo, para pagandahin. Huwag natin tinitingnan 'yun lang trillion (That debt is used for investment —to grow and improve. Let's not look at it just as trillions)," he said.

"The balance sheet has assets and liabilities. Kung tinitingnan lang 'yung liabilities, tingnan ninyo 'yung asset. Nadadagdagan 'yung asset natin (If we only focus on liabilities, we miss the full picture. Our assets are also growing)."

He named the Filipino workforce as the country's biggest asset and reaffirmed his commitment to invest in education and training to improve labor competitiveness.

"Ako, pinakamalaking asset natin 'yung Pilipino, 'yung manggagawang Pilipino (For me, the Filipino —the Filipino worker— is our greatest asset)," the President said.

He added that empowering workers through skills development, combined with the government's anti-corruption push, will ensure national funds go to where they are most needed. (PNA)