Marcos to councilors: Resist corruption, avoid unjust acts

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. urged local officials to avoid corrupt practices and uphold transparency while serving the public.

Marcos thus said before the Philippine Councilors League National Convention 2023 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Thursday.

"Never surrender to any form of temptation that will taint your integrity. Remember, as public servants, we must uphold transparency and accountability in all our work. Apart from inhibiting yourself from corrupt practices, I also urge you to avoid unjust and dangerous acts that put the bureaucracy in a state of decay," Marcos said in his speech.

"Please take to heart that aside from commission, omission, too, remains an offense and a form of deception against our constituents," he added.

He expressed confidence that the local officials would fulfill their oath "to exercise your functions bearing in mind the best interest of your constituents."

The President also encouraged them to focus on tasks that are beneficial to the public, including the priority legislations of his administration.

"It is your obligation to give life, meaning, and substance to the constitutional mandate of local autonomy and decentralization of powers, you are also endowed to engage in meaningful discussions on matters involving local legislative concerns," Marcos said.

The Chief Executive is hopeful that the local officials will support the passage of the administration’s legislative priorities, "particularly measures that aim to capacitate local government units."

Marcos said this includes the proposed E-Governance Act, which will institutionalize digitalization in the bureaucracy and make it easier for Filipinos to transact with their government.

Aside from that, Marcos is also seeking support for the amendment to the Build-Operate-Transfer Law in order to address the ambiguities, bottlenecks, and other challenges in implementing the law.

"Kaya po ang ginawa natin ay sinabi natin palitan natin ang batas para dito sa Build-Operate-Transfer para mas madali ang mga investor na makalapit sa atin at mas madali, mas maganda para sa kanila na makita nila na may magandang pagkakataon. Hindi lamang dito sa Pilipinas, kung hindi sa inyong mga constituency sa iba’t ibang probinsiya, iba’t ibang lungsod, iba’t ibang bayan ng ating local government units," Marcos said.

"This will empower you to participate more actively in BOT projects as the proposed amendments will streamline the guidelines and eliminate uncertainties that limit your participation in Public-Private Partnerships," he added.

Marcos also asked them to join him in lobbying for the passage of the proposed National Land Use Act.

"Kailangan na kailangan na po natin ito. Alam naman natin sa local government ay itong land use ay kailangan talaga nating gawin upang maging maliwanag kung ano sa ating mga constituency ano ‘yung lupa na para sa agrikultura, ano ‘yung lupa na itatabi natin para sa commercial, para sa residential," said Marcos.

"Iyan po ay kailangan para makapagplano ngayon tayo kung saan natin ilalagay ang mga iba’t ibang proyekto ng pamahalaan," he added.

Marcos also mentioned the Tax Package 3, or the Valuation Reform Bill, "to ensure the development of a just, equitable, and efficient real property valuation system."

He added the passage of the proposed Waste Treatment Technology Act, which, according to him, will pave the way for modern options in solving the persistent garbage problem of the country.

Marcos said local government units have as much vital role as the national government in addressing urgent concerns in the society.

"Ito po ang ating sinasabi na whole-of-government approach. Ito ang aming ginagawa ngayon dahil sinasabi hindi – kung minsan may mga problema, may mga problema tayong kailangang ayusin na hindi kayang gawin ng isang department lamang, hindi kayang gawin ng isang executive order lamang," Marcos said.

"Kailangan lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan ay nauunawaan kung ano ba talaga ang nais natin maabutan, what we are hoping to achieve," he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News