UNCAC in action: Philippines' digital reforms advance anti-corruption commitments

When the Philippines ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2006, we made what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently called "a bold commitment to fight corruption not just within our borders but alongside a global community of nations."

- By LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

Today, that commitment has evolved into concrete action through digital governance reforms that effectively implement UNCAC principles.

At the 5th State Conference on UNCAC Implementation and Review held in Malacañang on Dec. 3, 2024, President Marcos outlined his administration's "two-pronged approach" in the fight against corruption: streamlining and digitalizing government processes to eliminate avenues for corruption, while empowering citizens through full public disclosure. This strategy recognizes a fundamental truth: corruption thrives in opacity, while transparency fosters integrity.

Our partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the guardian of UNCAC, has been instrumental in strengthening our reform agenda. This collaboration has been particularly evident in transforming public procurement, which directly impacts our ability to build quality schools, hospitals, roads and bridges. Procurement accounts for 45 percent of public expenditure in the Philippines. So, when procurement processes are transparent and efficient, we have a huge impact, delivering better public services, improved infrastructure and enhanced health care facilities that genuinely serve our people.