Manila: Senate President Francis Escudero emphasized the need for a united front in the Philippines’ fight against corruption, transcending political divides. Speaking at the 5th State Conference on the Implementation and Review of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) held in Malacañang, Escudero highlighted the importance of sustaining efforts to eradicate corruption, which he described as a “cancer” threatening to spread throughout all branches and levels of government if left unchecked.

According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero commended the Integrity Management Program’s stakeholders for their ten-year commitment to fulfilling the country’s obligations under the UNCAC. He praised the significant progress made in eradicating corruption and restoring integrity and efficiency in public service, noting the program’s resilience across the Aquino, Duterte, and Marcos administrations. Escudero warned that losing the battle against corruption would have dire consequences and emphasized t
he Senate’s crucial role in this campaign through the enactment of supportive legislation such as the New Government Procurement Act, Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act, and Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act.

Escudero further stressed the importance of minimizing discretion in government processes as a means to curb corruption. To bolster the anti-corruption fight, he proposed seven key strategies, including digitalization to enhance transparency, simplification of regulations, local government empowerment, clearer government process guidelines, whistleblower protection, risk-averse budgeting, and incentivizing best practices.

He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance, ensuring the Philippines’ commitment to its international obligations under the UNCAC. Escudero called for collaborative efforts to secure lasting progress, stating that corruption withers where power is balanced and transparency prevails.