Business groups called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to address without delay the massive corruption scandal crippling flood control and infrastructure projects, which has eroded public trust and is threatening the country’s national security.
The 34 business groups that issued a joint statement on Sunday included the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Makati Business Club, Philippine Exporters Confederation, and the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines.
‘We have contributed to national funds thru taxes locally and nationally and have paid additional assessment of taxes. We provided many fees to enable us to do business. Yet, trillions of pesos supplied and intended to protect our communities from disasters have been squandered through ghost projects, substandard work, and inflated contracts,’ they said.
The business groups pointed out that the flood control issue is more than financial loss; it is a ‘fatal breach’ of public trust that leaves the people ‘vulnerable and outraged.’
They asked the president to ‘immediately and transparently’ adopt four measures.
The groups said there must be ‘regular public updates’ on the progress of investigations and reforms and to publicly disclose all audit findings to demonstrate ‘genuine commitment and credibility.’
They urged the country’s chief executive to ’empower’ the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) with full legal authority and independence to conduct a ‘swift, comprehensive investigation, free from political influence.’
The concerned groups also prodded Marcos to prosecute all those responsible, impartially and without regard of rank, position, political affiliation or personal relations.
Moreover, they told Marcos to implement ‘institutional reforms, ensure restitution of ill gotten wealth and embezzled funds of the government, and strengthen procurement and oversight systems, preventing future abuse.’
‘Mr. President, we strongly urge you to act decisively to signal your administration’s genuine commitment to justice, integrity, and accountable governance,’ the 34 business groups said.
‘We, the major business organizations representing members across all sectors-large, medium, small, and micro-enterprises are co-signing this resolution, urgently calling on your administration to address, without delay, the historic, massive, and unprecedented corruption scandal crippling our flood control and infrastructure projects-a crisis that has eroded public trust and now threatens our national security,’ they added.
The other signatories to the joint statement are the Association of Abaca Pulp Manufacturers of the Philippines, Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry, Association of International Shipping Lines Inc., Association of Petrochemical Manufacturers of the Philippines, Capital Markets Development Foundation Inc., Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., Federation of Philippine Industries, Financial Institute Executives of the Philippines, and FinTech Alliance.Ph.
Fintech Philippines Association, Good Governance Advocates of the Philippines, Institute of Corporate Directors, International Chamber of Commerce-Philippines, Justice Reform Initiative, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors, Philippine Food Exporters Confederation, Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc., Philippine Plastics Industry Association, Philippine Retailers Association, Philippine Steelmakers Association, Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association, Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika, Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines, Tax Management Association of the Philippines, Women’s Business Council Philippines, Filipina CEO Circle, and Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines also signed the statement.