Walk the talk, business groups urge Marcos

House to open budget deliberations to public, civil society watchdogs

- By DEXTER BARRO II and ELLSON QUISMORIO

The country's leading business groups commended President Marcos for his stance against corruption during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), while noting that his words must be backed by strong reforms.

In a statement, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) said Marcos' acknowledgement of government shortcomings, particularly his condemnation of political corruption, resonates with the sentiments of the private sector.

"This corruption is not merely a moral failing; it is a primary driver of our country's entrenched poverty, deepens social inequities, and critically undermines our national economy," said FFCCCII president Victor Lim.

During his SONA, Marcos called out corruption linked to flood control projects, where he alleged government officials and private contractors of committing schemes such as kickbacks to steal government funds.

He has swiftly directed government agencies to compile a list of projects completed or not, over the past three years, for public scrutiny.

In particular, he wants a thorough investigation into the socalled ghost projects, which refer to projects that are reported as completed or ongoing but do not actually exist.

Lim said these ghost projects are equal to an unconscionable theft from the Filipino people.

"The FFCCCII urgently calls upon the administration and the legislature to enact profound, systemic anti-corruption reforms," Lim said. "We need strengthened institutions, unimpeded transparency, robust accountability mechanisms, certainty of punishments and unwavering enforcement of the rule of law." Lim said such reforms can help restore public trust and ensure that public funds are used to uplift the lives of every Filipino.

In a separate statement, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) described the SONA as "very impressive," citing Marcos' direct messaging against corruption.