Palace Highlights Digitalization as Key to Combating Corruption

MANILA — The Marcos administration has emphasized the importance of digital transformation in the government’s efforts to fight corruption, Malacañang announced on Saturday. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a statement, outlined the government’s initiative reforms, which include the digitalization of government transactions, as fundamental strategies to combat corrupt practices. This approach comes as the Philippines observes a slight improvement in its position on the 2023 global corruption index.

According to Philippines News Agency, the administration views the recent ranking as both an incentive to enhance efforts and a signal that the country is moving in the right direction. “Earnest efforts are already being undertaken to implement the digital transformation mandate of the administration in order to streamline institutional processes and curtail opportunities for graft and corruption,” he stated, aligning these efforts with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for a government that earns the people’s trust through actions rather than words.

Bersamin further expressed optimism that the government’s commitment to implementing transformational measures will ensure efficient and transparent public service, reflecting a steadfast dedication to good governance.

The Philippines’ recent standing in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International saw the country ranked 115th out of 180, an improvement from its 116th position in 2022. With a CPI score of 34 out of 100, up from 33 the previous year, the Philippines experienced a slight advancement amidst a global context where more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50, indicating prevalent corruption issues. The report also highlighted a global average score of 43, pointing out that the majority of countries have stagnated or regressed in terms of corruption over the last decade.