“Public Service, Not Private Enrichment”
MBC Statement on Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s Call Out of Corruption

11 August 2023 – The Makati Business Club commends Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other public officials and citizens who call out or take action against the corruption that’s endemic in our society.

Corruption takes resources away from public services like health, education, maintaining peace and order, and providing needed safe and resilient infrastructure that allow citizens and job creating businesses to flourish. This also necessitates the imposition of higher taxes to make up for lost revenues adding to the people’s burden and making the country uncompetitive.

Whether it is taking from public funds or taking or demanding bribes — in which citizens and businesses are either instigators, conspirators, or victims — the effect is the same. Corruption is a main culprit in the stunting of our youth, the decline in our learning achievements, and the challenges many Filipinos face as they make their way in life and society. It is a main cause of why the Philippines struggles to expand businesses, attract investment, and be globally competitive to create more jobs.

We echo the belief of Mayor Magalong and others that curbing corruption will not be quick or easy, given how entwined it is in our system and society. We reiterate our long- standing support for a Freedom of Information law (FOI), reform of the Bank Secrecy law, and strengthening of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities law (SALN), as well as President Marcos’s call for digitalization as a tool to improve ease of doing business and to fight graft and corruption by increasing transparency.

We stand with Mayor Magalong and others in declaring that we want a Philippines where public officials focus on public service rather than private enrichment, and where citizens and businesses compete on a level playing field rather than bribe to get ahead or even just get along. (END)