MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno S. Aquino III Friday warned officials who continue to resist treading the straight path not to test his patience.

He issued the warning at the 65th anniversary celebration of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) at its headquarters in Makati City Friday.

“To the dregs of the old system who might still be holding on to their ways, despite my expressed, direct order to tread the straight path: Do not test me. I can be a patient man, but my patience has its limits – especially for those who stand as obstacles to reform,” Aquino said.

“Keep this in mind, especially for the next year, which will be more challenging and more important. We will be continuing our pursuit, conviction, and punishment of those who have done wrong; and we will make certain that the fruits we have picked along the path of good governance redound in tangible ways to the Filipino people,” he said.

During his speech, President Aquino lauded DBP’s P4-billion net income as he urged its employees to continue pursuing efforts toward good governance.

“In 2011, DBP registered a net income of P4.02-billion, eight percent higher than its target for the year of P3.73-billion. There was robust growth in deposits, loans, and investments. This, despite economic uncertainty all around the globe,” Aquino said.

“The DBP has reclaimed its founding mandate, and is going even beyond its traditional duties,” he said. “Your efforts toward infrastructure development, toward providing social services and assistance to our overseas workers, toward reclaiming your institution from the grimy hands of the corrupt – all of these are just a taste of what we can do if we continue this momentum.”

DBP president and chief executive officer (CEO) Francisco del Rosario Jr. said the P4.02-billion recorded net income is the “second highest recorded in its 65-year history.”

Aquino said the DBP is bringing back its good image after it was hounded by controversy in the previous administration.

“When we assumed office, we found the DBP as one of dozens of government institutions that had been victimized by an administration fueled by self-enrichment. Leaders who were supposed to be exemplars of integrity fall prey to a system where connections were capital, and patronage was king,” he said, noting the investigations of the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee and Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, where a company with only two dollars as paid-up capital received a $90-million loan from the DBP.

“Today, on the beginning of its 65th year, the DBP has begun to close the door on that lost decade. It has begun to reclaim its honor by holding accountable those who abused the institution. More importantly, after 19 months, the straight and narrow path has led the DBP back to its true purpose: financial support in line with the agenda of development, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth,” Aquino said.

He challenged DBP employees to continue pursuing the path toward good governance.

“Always keep in mind that above and beyond the bosses in your office and in government, myself included, we are all serving a greater boss: the Filipino people. Let us strengthen our efforts to extend more relevant, practical, and direct financial assistance to individuals and institutions that do not have ready access to the private financial sector,” Aquino said.