Business, civic groups urge PBBM to act fast on corruption

Unsatisfied with the progress of ongoing investigations, top business and civil society groups have called on the Marcos administration to implement timebound reforms aimed at eradicating corruption in public infrastructure projects once and for all.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

In a joint statement on Thursday, Dec. 18, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), Justice Reform Initiative (JRI), and Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) stressed that corruption has long been a recurring issue in government projects.

The groups said corruption scandals over the years—from the NBN-ZTE broadband deal to flood control projects—reflect how such irregularities are deeply ingrained in the public infrastructure system.

They noted that the recurring pattern of these issues reflects a clear intersection of political patronage and dynastic influence, combined with “opaque procurement processes, weak oversight, and poor accountability in the use of public funds”.

The groups said the private sector is right to voice its concerns on the matter but emphasized that mere statements are not enough.

"Now is the time to act. Business, professional, and civil society groups should demand urgent reforms to be implemented now to end the grim consequences of corruption, whose magnitude has shocked the country," they said.