Corruption issues hurting US investor interest in the Philippines — Romualdez

CORRUPTION ISSUES surrounding Philippine government projects are dampening US investor interest, according to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” G. Romualdez.

- Chloe Mari A. Hufana

However, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go insisted the country has not lost any investment pledges due to the ongoing probe into corruption involving flood control projects.

In a Super Radyo DZBB interview on Thursday, Mr. Romualdez estimated that around $100 billion to $150 billion in potential investments — including those linked to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s US engagements — may be at risk unless the corruption scandals are resolved.

“(Foreign investors) want to see that our justice system is efficient... These corruption scandals need to be resolved,” the envoy said in Filipino.

In its 2025 Investment Climate report, the US State department identified corruption as a major barrier to foreign investment in the Philippines. It noted that corruption is “a pervasive and longstanding problem in both the public and private sectors” in the country.