Lawmakers urged to fast-track reforms as Congress reopens

ANALYSTS urge Congress to fast-track transparency reforms ahead of year-end session.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Adrian H. Halili Reporters

Philippine lawmakers should prioritize measures to strengthen government transparency and accountability, analysts said over the weekend, as the Marcos administration faces mounting scrutiny over a multibillion-peso flood control scandal that has rocked the Southeast Asian nation.

Congress has a key window before yearend to swiftly pass measures that could enhance transparency and help restore public trust, as the widening controversy continues to erode confidence and weigh on economic prospects, they added.

"Trust is a growth policy," Ederson DT. Tapia, a political science professor at the University of Makati, said in a Facebook Messenger chat. "Clean, predictable rules are the cheapest and most effective stimulus the government can deploy right now."

"Before yearend, Congress can still pass integrity measures, protect key social and infrastructure sectors and create a more permanent independent auditing body for flood control structures to halt repeat funding for questionable projects," he added.

Congress will reconvene for its final session of the year this week, and House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has signaled his intent to fast-track transparency reforms as part of a broader push to improve governance. Lawmakers have six weeks to approve pending bills before Congress adjourns for the year.