President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has decried that corruption in publicly funded infrastructure projects has become “garapalan” or shameless.

In the latest episode of his BBM Podcast aired on Sunday, Marcos said he is shocked by the gravity and extent of corruption in government, recalling that this was not the case when he was governor of Ilocos Norte.

“Ako, nasa-shock ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala na nandito na tayo, na ganito na ang gobyerno,” the President said, shaking his head.

“Nung ako ay governor, hindi ganito. At bukod pa sa laki ng halaga ng nakukuha ng kung sino-sino na tao na wala namang karapatan na bulsahin ang pera na yan, bukod pa roon, ay hindi nila tinatago. Garapal na po,” the President added.

Marcos served as governor of Ilocos Norte from 1998 to 2007 and from 1983 to 1986.

The Chief Executive said corruption in public infrastructure projects has evolved over so many decades.

The President underscored the need to put in place a mechanism, and if necessary, pass legislation, to curb corruption in government.

“It did not happen overnight. This happened over many decades. And we have to figure out kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari para hindi na mangyari ulit, to put the safeguards in place – if it requires legislation, if it requires restructuring the government, lahat yan kailangan natin gawin,” the President said in his podcast.

The President added it is imperative to find out how corruption in government developed and who are responsible.

“What we can do is to find out how this happened, who are the people that are involved, make them answerable for their wrongdoing. And fix the structure so this is not allowable. That’s the word, that I think, that it became allowable,” said Marcos.

The President has announced that an executive order is being crafted to set up an independent commission that will thoroughly investigate allegations of irregularities and corruption in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.

Marcos has also said that legal actions will be taken against parties and entities involved in all anomalous DPWH projects. Presidential News Desk