A wise wealthy businessman once told me, ‘Politicians come and go, but businessmen are here to stay.’
That remark, uttered decades ago, is as true today as it was then. In the Philippines, governments may rise and fall, presidents may change and political winds may shift dramatically – but the business community always finds ways to endure. Through every coup attempt, constitutional crisis and transition of power, Filipino businessmen have survived – adapting, recalibrating and continuing to build. For them, politics is temporary; business is perpetual.
In a developing democracy like ours where personalities dominate over institutions, it is often the private sector that provides the continuity. While politics moves in cycles of elections and allegiances, commerce depends on stability, trust and a long-term vision. A factory, a mall or a ports-handling company cannot simply stop operating when a new administration comes in. Business owners have learned to navigate around the turbulence of political change – maintaining relationships across parties, adjusting to new policies and keeping their enterprises alive for the sake of their workers, their customers and the economy.
That is why the corruption scandal shaking the country has created such unease in the business community. Aside from the scale of the alleged wrongdoing, it is the consequent uncertainty that disturbs the private sector. Sadly, corruption is not new – it is a persistent disease that has plagued Philippine governance for generations. But what makes this particular issue alarming is the erosion of public trust due to the magnitude of corruption.
For the first time in many years, major business groups have banded together, setting aside rivalries to take a collective stand. Organizations representing bankers, manufacturers, exporters and employers have spoken in one voice, calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to act decisively. Their message is clear: empower the independent commission – and grant it the authority not only to investigate but also to prosecute those found guilty of plundering public funds. Business leaders – both local and foreign – know only too well that all depends on the perception that corruption will not be tolerated at the highest levels.
This rare show of unity among business groups is itself remarkable. For decades, Philippine business leaders have preferred to stay on the sidelines of politics, quietly adjusting to whoever holds power. Their natural instinct is to protect their enterprises, maintain relationships with all political camps and avoid confrontation. That they are now speaking out so openly signals how deeply concerned they are about the damage the scandal has brought to the country’s image and investment climate.
What they seek is not extraordinary – it is precisely what every serious nation must demand: a system that punishes wrongdoing without fear or favor, regardless of personalities involved. For the government to restore credibility, it must allow this investigation to proceed independently and transparently. The President himself has the chance to demonstrate that his administration’s commitment to good governance is not mere rhetoric.
The Philippines has been enjoying a resurgence of investor interest over the past two years. With its young population, growing middle class and strategic location in Asia, the country has been seen as a bright spot in an uncertain world. The Marcos administration’s efforts to modernize infrastructure, attract foreign investment and strengthen defense and security cooperation have given the country a sense of renewed confidence. But this corruption scandal, if left unchecked, could quickly erode that progress. Investors have long memories – and reputations, once tarnished, take years to rebuild.
What is encouraging, however, is that business leaders are no longer content to remain silent, realizing that neutrality is no longer an option. As stewards of the economy, they have a responsibility to speak up when corruption threatens the nation’s stability. After all, businessmen provide the jobs, pay the taxes and keep the economic engine running. They are stakeholders, not bystanders.
Throughout history – from the days of Spanish galleons to the rise of modern conglomerates – Filipino entrepreneurs have always been resilient. They endured authoritarian rule, survived the Asian financial crisis and weathered countless political storms. Their staying power lies in pragmatism: understanding that the economy must function even when politics falters. Yet today, the same resilience must be matched by a collective moral stand – because corruption, left unchallenged, will eventually corrode not just politics but business itself.
The President must take the high ground by supporting a truly independent anti-corruption commission – with individuals of integrity at its helm – and letting them do their job without fear or favor. Such action will reassure both investors and the public that accountability will prevail. It will also distinguish his leadership from past administrations that often promised reform but always fell short.
There is truth to the saying that ‘politicians come and go, but businessmen are here to stay.’ But for the nation to truly move forward, both must coexist under the same principle: prosperity cannot thrive under the shadow of corruption. The partnership between government and business must be anchored on transparency and trust. The private sector can provide continuity, but only government can enforce the rules that make fair competition possible.
Our nation stands once again at a crossroads – between cynicism and hope, between self-interest and collective responsibility. The business community has taken a bold step. It is now up to the political leadership to listen, act and prove that good governance is not a mere slogan but a commitment.
If that happens, then perhaps someday that wise businessman’s saying can be completed with a hopeful twist: politicians may come and go, businessmen may stay – but together, they can finally build a nation that endures.