“Our duty is not to protect each other – our duty is to protect the Filipino people.”
This was the overarching message on Wednesday of newly-elected House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, who assured the public that the House of Representatives would work to earn back the trust of the people by pursuing budget reforms, ensuring transparency, and helping address corruption in the country’s questionable flood control projects.
“This House will change. I will not defend the guilty. I will not shield the corrupt.”
In his inaugural address as Speaker, the new House leader acknowledged the frustration of the public over recent controversies involving public funds, and appealed on behalf of the House for the opportunity to regain their trust.
“Ako na ho ang unang magsasabi sa ating mga kababayan: meron kaming pagkukulang. Kami po ay nagpapakumbaba. Nakikiusap po kami na sana bigyan ninyo kami ng pagkakataong ituwid ang mga maling kalakaran at linisin ang aming hanay. Nakikiusap po kami na bigyan ninyo kami ng tsansang makuha muli ang inyong tiwala,” appealed the Speaker.
The longtime public servant emphasized that under his leadership, the House would not tolerate corruption or impunity, would cooperate fully with the Independent Commission of Infrastructure, and would ensure that all inquiries into corruption are conducted openly and fairly.
Dy stressed that under his leadership “this House will change. I will not defend the guilty. I will not shield the corrupt. Gaya ng paninindigan ng ating Pangulo—No rank, no ally, no office will be spared from accountability. We must strengthen the Oversight Committee and fully cooperate with the Independent Commission of Infrastructure. Our duty is not to protect each other – our duty is to protect the Filipino people.”
“Kung meron man pong dapat managot sa mga umuugong na paratang, sisiguraduhin natin na magiging patas ang mga pagdinig. Tayo ay magiging transparent at accountable sa ating mga gawain. Makikinig po kami sa daing ng mga mamamayan. Makikinig po kami sa boses ninyo. Ito lang ang paraan para lumabas ang pawang katotohanan at dito lang masisimulang matanggal ang agam-agam ng ating mga kababayan.”
The Speaker also explained that budget reforms would be pursued under his leadership with the help of the members of Congress, emphasizing that the national budget must be aligned with the needs of the people.
“Sa tulong ninyo, sisiguraduhin din natin na ang bawat sentimo na paglalaanan ng badyet sa bawat departamento ay tutugma sa pangangailangan ng mamamayang Pilipino. Pagtulungan nating makapagpasa ng isang maayos at malinis na badyet na mailalaan sa tamang mga programa para sa taumbayan,” said the Speaker.
“May mga hakbang nang ginawa upang gawing mas bukas ang proseso ng pagpasa ng budget at mas paiigtingin pa natin ito. Ako po ay handang makinig sa iba’t ibang tinig upang higit na maka-unawa. Nakahanda po ang aking bisig na makipagtulungan kanino man alang-alang sa ating bansa. Mula noon, hanggang ngayon, ako po ay walang pinipiling kulay. Lahat ay mahalaga. Lahat ay may maaaring maiambag upang magampanan ang ating mandato bilang kinatawan ng ating mamamayan.”
