As members of the top executive group in the country consider corruption as a persistent hurdle for growth, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) president Alfredo “Al” Panlilio vows to give priority to it.

“We will certainly address the concerns of MAP members for 2025 identified through a survey in the 4th quarter of last year which are corruption, education, economy, ease of doing business, climate change, cybersecurity and dealing with local government units (LGUs),” Panlilio said during a speech at the 77th MAP Inaugural Meeting and Induction of the MAP 2025 Board of Governors on Wednesday.

“Please note that all your top 7 concerns will be directly addressed by the four thrusts that I have explained. To address corruption and ease of doing business, we will continue to participate actively in the programs of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA),” he stated.

In 2024, corruption emerged as the predominant concern for Filipino businessmen, as reported by former MAP president Rene Almendras.

Corruption tops problems

The perennial problem of corruption topped worries related to ease of doing business, the overall economy, agriculture, cybersecurity, education, and climate change, based on the survey.

Panlilio, Maya Bank chairperson and director of PLDT Inc. of the MVP Group, said MAP’s thrusts include member engagement, country competitiveness, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and shared prosperity and investing in the youth.

The aspiration is to attract greater and more diverse job-creating investments for more Filipinos to be gainfully employed.

For the push to make the country more competitive, Panlilio said the push for vital policy reforms must continue, through executive or legislative action, that will eliminate corruption, improve the ease of doing business, ensure food security through agricultural productivity, and in sustaining an enabling business environment for local and foreign investors.

“The aspiration is to attract greater and more diverse job-creating investments for more Filipinos to be gainfully employed. On ESG and shared prosperity, we will continue advancing ESG principles and fostering shared prosperity as a key strategic thrust for the year. By integrating sustainable practices, promoting ethical leadership, and driving inclusive growth, we aim to create long-term value for MAP members and all other stakeholders. We will continue pushing for discourse and activities to champion responsible business, uplift communities, and contribute to a resilient and equitable future for the Philippines,” he further explained.