MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decried the “deeply rotten” corruption in public infrastructure projects but said he has no regrets becoming Chief Executive as it gives him the chance to fix systemic ills.

In his latest podcast released Sunday, Marcos said revelations of long-running anomalies have kept him awake at night, describing them as “kalawang at bulok” (rust and rot) that have plagued projects for decades.

“It did not happen overnight. This happened over many decades. Ako nasa-shock ako… ang lalim ng kalawang, ang lalim ng bulok (I was shocked, the rot, the rust goes deep)” he said, adding that he was “very upset” at how ordinary Filipinos were short-changed while public funds were diverted for luxury items.

“How can you do this to people who are working every day of their lives?” Marcos asked, noting how some perceived corrupt individuals flaunted luxuries that may have been purchased using public funds.

Still, he said he has never once regretted running for President despite the enormity of the problem, particularly corruption.

The rot goes deep: Marcos decries decades-old corruption

“No. Not for one moment,” he said.

“Because I’m given the opportunity, the privilege to actually do something. All of the things I complained about all my life, now I can do something about it.”

The President said his priority now is to hold culprits accountable and repair the system, as Malacañang prepares to issue an executive order creating an independent commission to investigate alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Marcos also highlighted the recently launched “Sumbong sa Pangulo” (Report to the President) website, which has so far received over 12,000 complaints covering various infrastructure projects.

He described the platform (https://sumbongsapangulo.ph/) as “very effective” in giving the public a direct channel to report wrongdoing.

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