AT LEAST 30 business groups called on the Marcos Jr. administration to address, without delay, the “historic, massive, and unprecedented corruption scandal” in the government’s flood control and infrastructure projects.
The crisis, the business groups said, has eroded public trust and now threatens the country’s national security.
The businesses cited their immense contribution to national funds in the form of local and national taxes, and said that the money intended to protect communities from disasters have been squandered through ghost projects, substandard work, and inflated contracts.
“This is more than financial loss – it is a fatal breach of public trust that leaves our people vulnerable and outraged,” the groups said.
Going beyond general rhetoric, the groups specified their demands on the Marcos administration, which include calls to give the Independent Commission on Infrastructure greater authority, prosecute those involved regardless of affiliation, implement institutional reforms and reinstitute ill-gotten wealth, and provide regular updates to the public on the progress of the investigations.
Responding to the call, the Palace assured the group that it is taking corruption issues seriously, even as the ICI said it would be a long way to jailing those guilty in the infrastructure scam.
These are groups composed of results-oriented, information-driven executives used to making high-stakes business decisions every day. Nothing would convince them – and the rest of the country – that the Marcos administration is indeed serious and acting in good faith more than heeding their recommendations, especially in terms of granting the ICI greater powers and jailing those accountable, whatever their political color.
The groups are correct to point out that the significant taxes they pay should redound to the benefit of the people, not line the pockets of shameless, doubletalking politicians and their collaborators.
Businesses carry with them their employees and the family members who depend on their salaries. They have earned the right to speak on behalf of millions, who are becoming angrier and more indignant with every new revelation and with every day that decisive action is not taken.
Good business thrives only in transparency and accountability. Corruption is bad for business, bad for governance, and bad for the people – except the ones who have milked the system for so long.
