Philippines’ Marcos puts anti-graft campaign at centre of address to Congress

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he was “not the president of my family” and “not the president of my friends” as he vowed to press ahead with an anti-corruption drive that could see multiple charges filed against his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.



In 2025, Marcos disclosed allegations of widespread irregularities in a series of flood-control projects worth billions of pesos.



The case involved accusations of kickbacks to officials and several politicians, and implicated Romualdez, who was forced to step down as Speaker.



But accountability questions have lingered, adding to public discontent at a time when many Filipinos are grappling with the soaring cost of living and inflation, which has exceeded the government’s target.



Marcos faces a fraught political and economic situation as he grapples with the fallout from the collapse of his alliance with Vice-President Sara Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial, as well as mounting public discontent.