By Wilnard Bacelonia

Senate President Francis Escudero (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said the country’s fight against corruption should be a unifying cause that goes beyond partisan divides.

In his speech at the 5th State Conference on the Implementation and Review of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) held in Malacañang, Manila, Escudero said the Philippines must sustain the fight to eliminate the “cancer” that, if left unchecked, will spread across all government branches and levels.

He commended the stakeholders of the Integrity Management Program for its decade-long efforts to meet the country’s obligations under the UNCAC.

“Great strides are being made to eradicate corruption and restore integrity, dignity and efficiency in public service,” he said, highlighting the program’s resilience across the administrations of Aquino, Duterte and Marcos.

“For the battle against corruption is one which we cannot lose. The stakes are simply too high, the consequences too grave and the cost of failure too catastrophic to fathom,” Escudero added.

Escudero said the Senate continues to be an integral part of the campaign against corruption, enacting laws that support the cause, including the New Government Procurement Act, Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act and Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act.

He emphasized the chamber’s oversight power “to expose and rectify corruption for national progress.”

“Corruption equals discretion and vice versa. Minimize discretion, you minimize corruption. Eliminate discretion, you eliminate corruption,” he said.

To strengthen the fight against corruption, Escudero outlined seven key strategies:

1. Digitalization: Modernize systems to promote transparency in payments, permits, and public expenditures.

2. Rule simplification: Remove complex regulations that enable corruption.

3. Local engagement: Empower local governments to combat corruption at its roots.

4. Clearer guidelines: Use plain language in government processes to eliminate confusion.

5. Whistleblower potection: Safeguard individuals who expose corruption, along with supportive government personnel.

6. Risk-averse budgeting: Cut funding for programs prone to misuse.

7. Incentives for best oractices: Reward and replicate successful anti-corruption initiatives.

Escudero reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical governance, ensuring that the Philippines remains steadfast in its international obligations under UNCAC.

He also urged for collaboration to ensure lasting progress.

“Where power is balanced, discretion is choked and the sunshine is let in, corruption always withers,” Escudero said. (PNA)