President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized that, alongside implementing laws and regulations, the government must encourage the practice of core values to promote integrity.

In his speech at the 5th State Conference on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Implementation and Review in Malacañang on Tuesday, Marcos emphasized the people-centered approach to addressing and preventing corruption vulnerabilities in public office.

“We must shift away from merely enforcing compliance with laws, rules and regulations to steering our people towards the practice of integrity in their daily lives,” he said.

Marcos said the government is employing a two-pronged approach in responding to its obligations to the conference: digitalization and people participation.

“Integrity that is rooted in ‘katapatan, malasakit, pakikipag-kapwa, and bayanihan’ (honesty, caring, fellowship community) — these need to be reinforced and sustained. This is the kind of transformation that we envision, which guides not only our systems of governance but our behaviors as citizens of this Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

Marcos said the move to streamline and digitalize government processes “will minimize the avenues of corruption” as these will push more transparent and accessible transactions.

“We are improving the efficiency and fostering trust and accountability between government and the public,” he added.

Marcos noted the need to engage people in good governance through the electronic Freedom of Information platform.

The 5th State Conference on the UNCAC Implementation and Review aims to provide updates on the Philippines’ anti-corruption measures and to present a new Integrity Management Program blueprint for the country.