Major business groups in the country slammed the current level of corruption plaguing the government, saying the trillions of pesos meant to protect communities from disasters were squandered on questionable projects.
They also underscored that businesses pay their taxes and fees so they can do business.
“We have contributed to national funds through taxes locally and nationally and have paid additional assessment of taxes. We provided many fees to enable us to do business,” read the resolution signed by 34 groups and associations led by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club, and the Management Association of the Philippines.
“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 added.
The groups added that the corruption being uncovered is causing the public to be outraged.
“This is more than financial loss—it is a fatal breach of public trust that leaves our people vulnerable and outraged,” they warned.
Hence, the groups urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “immediately and transparently” adopt proposed measures to address the current crisis, most especially empowering the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) with “full legal authority and independence” and be “free from political influence.”
They called the ICI a “toothless,” and said Marcos should “implement institutional reforms, ensure restitution of ill-gotten wealth and embezzled funds of the government, and strengthen procurement and oversight systems.”
PIA PHOTO