'We will not tolerate hypocrisy': Romualdez sets tone for 2025 budget plenary debates

Manila Bulletin

Speaker Martin Romualdez gave a stern message to critics of the House of Representatives on Monday, Sept. 16, the first day of the marathon plenary debates on the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025.   READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/16/we-will-not-tolerate-hypocrisy-romualdez-sets-tone-for-2025-budget-plenary-debates  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00Today, we begin the plenary deliberations on House Bill 10800,

00:08the Fiscal Year 2025 General Appropriations Bill.

00:14This is more than just a budget or a financial document.

00:20It is the foundation upon which our nation's governance rests.

00:25It embodies our commitment to

00:27fiscal responsibility and the prudent use of our people's resources.

00:34As legislators, we are not only guardians of the nation's purse,

00:39but also stewards of the people's trust.

00:44Every peso we allocate in this budget carries with it

00:49the sweat and sacrifice of millions of Filipinos.

00:54And it is our duty to ensure that these resources are spent wisely,

01:00effectively, and with absolute accountability.

01:05Our budget policy, carefully crafted and thoroughly scrutinized,

01:12is designed to achieve fiscal discipline

01:15while addressing the urgent needs of our people.

01:20It reflects the aspirations of the nation

01:24and serves as a roadmap towards stability,

01:28progress, and shared prosperity.

01:45However, we cannot ignore the reality

01:49that there are those who seek to undermine our work,

01:53critics who speak of accountability

01:57while conveniently ignoring their own misuse of public funds.

02:03To these individuals, I say, let us be clear.

02:08This chamber will not tolerate hypocrisy,

02:11nor will it stand idle in the face of such blatant disregard of public trust.

02:19This House of Representatives has always stood by principles of transparency and accountability.

02:25This House of Representatives has always stood by principles of transparency and accountability.

02:41This House of Representatives has always stood by principles of transparency and accountability.

02:49Contrary to what some people may claim,

02:52we have worked tirelessly to ensure that every government agency's expenditure

02:59is examined with careful scrutiny

03:02and that every program funded by the people's money

03:05is aligned with the country's priorities.

03:08I commend each and every one of you, my esteemed colleagues,

03:12for your diligence and commitment to defending the public's coffers.

03:17Our priority is the Filipino people,

03:21ensuring that public funds are responsibly allocated,

03:25well-spent, and protected from abuse.

03:30The money of the people is not for themselves, but for the benefit of others.

03:35Our duty as the laughingstock of every peso

03:40is for the prosperity and well-being of our fellow countrymen.

03:51Let it also be known that this House favors no one.

03:56We do not bend to pressure or special interests.

04:00Instead, we remain vigilant in upholding the principles of good governance

04:06and fiscal responsibility.

04:14The eyes of the nation are on us, and we will not fail them.

04:20No one can escape our scrutiny.

04:23We are the voice and eyes of the people,

04:27and in their name, we will guard against abuse and corruption.

04:38As we proceed with these deliberations,

04:41let us work with confidence and urgency.

04:45We have a duty to pass the 2025 General Appropriations Bill swiftly,

04:51and to do so with integrity,

04:54ensuring that the nation's goals are met

04:57and that every Filipino benefits from the fruits of our labor.

05:16Together, we will deliver a budget that serves the best interests of the people,

05:22fulfills the goals of the eight-point socioeconomic agenda,

05:26and contributes to the realization of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

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