By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
Governance, transparency, and institutional integrity took center stage on the second day of the Pilipinas Conference 2025, as Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla emphasized that good governance is the foundation of national resilience and economic confidence. Addressing leaders from government, business, civil society, and the diplomatic community, Remulla said that economic security begins with honest, transparent, and accountable governance.
When investors assess a country, they do not just look at numbers, charts, or demographic trends. They look for trust, whether rules are followed, whether decisions are fair, and whether public funds go where they should. Trust is fragile. It can take decades to build and only one scandal to destroy. Corruption is not just a governance issue; it is an economic threat.
Remulla detailed reforms implemented in his first 46 days in office, including lifting restrictions on access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, expressing support for live streaming of Ombudsman proceedings, and intensifying investigations in high-risk, high-value sectors such as public infrastructure, procurement, revenue, and regulatory agencies. He emphasized that accountability must not only be real but also felt. Cases are moving, he said, noting that the first batch of flood control cases has already been filed before the Sandiganbayan.
Transparency builds confidence, Remulla added. Confidence attracts investment, investment creates jobs, jobs build stability, and stability strengthens resilience. He drew a clear connection between governance reforms and economic growth.
Meanwhile, Professor Victor Andres Manhit, president of the Stratbase Institute, reinforced the link between corruption and economic competitiveness. He cited survey findings showing that 91 percent of CEOs believe the country is falling short in addressing corruption. Corruption weakens institutions, raises the cost of doing business, and drives investors toward safer markets. When governance fails, people pay the price, he said.
These conversations are more than symbolic, Manhit noted. Leaders at the conference are imagining a future where transparency is the norm, public institutions earn trust, and investors find stability in rules rather than personalities.
Now in its 10th year, the Pilipinas Conference continues to convene leaders committed to building a Philippines defined by accountability, stability, and shared prosperity, sending a strong signal to international investors that the country is serious about creating a transparent and predictable business environment.