SCMAP was among the 34 industry and business groups who, in an open letter a couple of weeks ago, called on President Bongbong Marcos to “address, without delay,” the corruption scandal currently rocking the Philippines.
Consider that, in the over three months since the topic was first broached – incidentally, by the president himself, during his State of the Nation Address – there has barely been any movement. We have seen hearings and allegations and accusations – not to mention some of the actual “completed” flood control projects – but no one has been made accountable to the courts.
The Independent Committee on Infrastructure may have recommended charges against three elected legislators and several appointed bureaucrats, but that is all that it can do. It is easy for a recommendation to languish in the waiting room.
Consider what we pointed out in a previous column, about how the focus of the current allegations may center on flood control projects, the whole saga puts into question every other form of infrastructure that has been entrusted to local governments – local roads and bridges, school buildings, other essential facilities – and perhaps even the ones spearheaded by the national government. It’s not difficult to imagine that the rot is more pervasive than what has been revealed in news reports and legislative sessions.
With all this in mind, it is imperative that the government take urgent action: provide the ICI with full legal authority and independence, not to mention the resources needed to do its work effectively; ensure that everyone responsible is held accountable, and all funds are returned to the national treasury; and implement institutional reforms to prevent future abuse.
It can be argued that building a water-tight (pun intended) case takes time and expertise. But the impact of these revelations – and the slow pace of justice – is shaking confidence in the economy’s ability to attract business, generate jobs, and provide a better quality of life for Filipinos.
It’s not just in the disruptions caused by heavy flooding – which impacts everything from crops, to transportation of goods, to mobility of workers – but also in whether stakeholders feel comfortable to continue expanding and investing in the Philippines, considering the untrustworthiness and lack of integrity of some stakeholders. This is exacerbated further by the lack of transparency in the ICI’s proceedings, as well as political factions inevitably using the scandal to further their own ends.
Perhaps this is the biggest challenge: to prove that all that we’ve seen unfold in the last three months, and all that we have yet to see unfold, will truly lead to institutional change. We have to see that this is not just a grand scheme to put political opponents behind bars – something that, we must admit, happened in previous such reckonings of widespread corruption in the country, preventing true change from even taking root. The administration must possess the courage to pursue justice even if their closest allies are involved. Anything less will put any results of this current reckoning into question.
And results must happen quickly. Again, time is of the essence. Confidence is slowly draining away, both from Filipinos who are growing impatient, and from economic stakeholders perhaps considering investing in the country. Let’s put it this way. True, no matter what happens, Filipino consumption will continue to drive the economy – but we have seen, time and again, how we badly need investment in systems that will help facilitate and expand this.
This runs the gamut from better transport infrastructure, better Internet connectivity, expanded markets for businesses, more robust public services. None of this can be fully realized if government funds continue to be pilfered and redirected to the pockets of a select few.
Internationally, the world’s attention remains pointed towards Asia. Opportunities are knocking at our door, but tentatively, choosing to go elsewhere in the region instead. We are not able to take advantage of expanded trade relationships, like what we saw last week, with an expanded FTA between China and an enlarged ASEAN.
Perhaps most telling is how confidence continues to slowly decline among our people, to the point that they can no longer see a future in the Philippines, and choose to seek greener pastures abroad. Sure, OFW remittances play a huge role in our national economy, but think of how we are losing our best people to countries that satisfy their frustrations and make them feel that they are getting what they are working hard for.
And then think of how we are not teaching our children well enough to take their place. This brain drain – this symbol of confidence, or lack thereof, in our country – will harm us in the long run.
Henrik Batallones is the marketing and communications director of SCMAP, and editor-in-chief of its official publication, Supply Chain Philippines. More information about SCMAP is available at scmap.org.
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