Aside from implementing laws and regulations, the government must also encourage the practice of core values that would help promote integrity.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made the remark on Tuesday, emphasizing the people-centered approach to prevent and address corruption vulnerabilities in public office.
“We must shift away from merely enforcing compliance with laws, rules and regulations, to steering our people towards the practice of integrity in their daily lives,” President Marcos said during the 5th State Conference on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Implementation and Review in Malacañang.
“Integrity that is rooted in katapatan, malasakit, pakikipag-kapwa, and bayanihan – these need to be to reinforced and sustained. This is the kind of transformation that we envision, which guides not only our systems of governance but our behaviors as citizens of this Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.
During the occasion, the President said the government is employing a two-pronged approach in response to its obligations to the conference—digitalization and people participation.
Streamlining and digitalizing government processes will minimize the avenues of corruption as government transactions become more transparent and accessible to the public, he said.
The said initiative is being undertaken through the New Government Procurement Act, which establishes standardized electronic bidding and payment systems through the enhanced Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.
“By streamlining and digitalizing processes, we are improving the efficiency and fostering trust and accountability between government and the public,” the President said.
President Marcos also emphasized empowering the people to participate in good governance through the electronic Freedom of Information platform.
The 5th State Conference on the UNCAC Implementation and Review aims to provide updates on the Philippines’ anti-corruption measures, and to present a new Integrity Management Program (IMP) blueprint for the country. (PND)
