President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a press conference at the Presidential Broadcast Studio in Kalayaan Hall, Malacañan Palace on Sept. 15. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday denounced systemic corruption in government, saying that while graft-tainted agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have drawn public ridicule, many civil servants remain committed and hardworking.

“These corrupt people are not the face of government. All they are is the face of corruption. That’s all they are. They are not typical of government,” he told a podcast posted across his social media accounts.

“I have always said, there are so many people in government who are very good, who are dedicated, who make sacrifices, who give everything that they can to their service,” he added.

He said he decided to “expose” corruption in the bureaucracy to highlight the distinction between honest officials and those who exploit their positions.

“You cannot paint everyone in government with the same brush as all of these corrupt operators that you see in government.”

The country, which experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, is currently investigating a multi-billion-peso public works scam that has led to widespread flooding across the country. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

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