President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. believes that addressing corruption does not require amending the Constitution, a Palace official said Tuesday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized instead the need for a “change of attitude and heart” among public servants to achieve genuine reform.

“Ang Pangulo po ay hindi sumasang-ayon para sa isang Constitutional change. Marami pong paraan para po maresolba ang ganitong klaseng korupsiyon,” Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“Marami na pong batas na maaaring gamitin kung susunod lamang ang mga public officials natin,” the Palace Press Officer added.

Castro cited the President’s remarks in the latest edition of the BBM Podcast that all national infrastructure projects should have formal acceptance from local government units (LGUs). The acceptance rule was set aside by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the previous administration, removing a safeguard to ensure quality control and accountability over infrastructure projects.

Castro added that there are enough laws to prevent corruption from occurring if these are observed and adequately implemented.

“So, dapat na lamang po ito ay enforced, i-implement, sundin ng ating mga public servants at public officials,” she said.

“Hindi po siguro nararapat sa ngayon ang constitutional change. Ang kailangan ay change of attitude ng mga officers at change of heart, maging maka-Pilipino, maging makabayan.” | PND