Business and labor organizations have issued a joint open letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., calling on his administration to take “decisive, transparent and sustained action” against a corruption scandal they described as “the largest and most brazen” in the nation’s history.
The Leaders Forum, which includes the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) cited the heavy toll corruption takes on both workers and employers through lost jobs, wasted taxes, and unfinished public projects.
In an ” Open Letter to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. from Business and Labor Leaders United Against Corruption,” the six groups urged the president to “firmly and fearlessly lead from the front” and outlined five concrete actions to restore public trust and accountability.
They asked Marcos to convene regular sectoral dialogue with workers and employers to ensure transparent reporting on anti-corruption progress and challenges; certify as urgent the legislation granting the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) full subpoena and contempt powers, with all proceedings made public; and create a special division in the Sandiganbayan dedicated to infrastructure corruption cases to ensure swift prosecution.
The groups also asked the president to recover stolen wealth through asset freezing, insurance recovery, and restitution with a portion reallocated toward genuine social reforms that support workers; and reform the national budget process to ensure multi-sectoral participation and transparency from preparation to approval.
“Mr. President, prove that this anti-corruption drive is not another soundbite for selective justice but the start of national renewal for true justice for our people.” The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to defending integrity in public service, protecting jobs and investments and promoting good governance,: they said.
