Nordic Chamber urge arrests in flood control scandal

Just like other foreign business chambers, the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, along with the envoys from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, has expressed the need to see personalities involved in the anomalous flood control mess held accountable — including incarceration.

“It will be an important signal, a healthy signal to see people actually starting to end up in jail for theft of public property, and stealing from ordinary Filipino citizens,” Denmark Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin said during a Manila forum on Thursday.

The envoy added that putting involved personalities behind bars is not a herculean task, as long as the government demonstrates political will.

“There is, unfortunately, a widespread culture of accepting corrupt practices in this country. The very small practical step of addressing challenges such as taxation, red tape, and bureaucracy can be a big step forward, even if the progress is slow,” he stressed.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed that non-bailable charges have been filed against 40 individuals linked to alleged fraudulent projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro. The coordination meeting of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and the Office of the Ombudsman was held Wednesday at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

He said individuals in the first case filed are expected to be arrested anytime soon because the complaints are non-bailable.

Smeared reputation

Nordic Chamber of Commerce president Bo Lundqvist said the massive corruption uncovered in the flood control probe has already damaged the country’s reputation, particularly among foreign investors.

Despite this, he said corruption is not unique to the Philippines; however, the scandal reinforces the perception that the country is “difficult to do business in.”

“To put people in jail if need be, is the only way I think to convince the business community to decide to invest,” he said.

Established in 2012, the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, or NordCham Philippines, brings together the Nordic–Philippine business community. The organization promotes and facilitates trade, commerce, industry, and investment between the Philippines and Nordic countries.

Earlier, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines executive director Florian Gottein admitted that some of its members have been affected by the flood control mess — with many now reconsidering their plans to expand.

Beyond corruption, Gottein said concerns include ease of doing business and the higher cost of operations in the Philippines compared to other countries.

He underscored that the government and its agencies play a critical role in resolving the issue through thorough investigation, especially as the Philippines continues negotiations with the European Commission for an EU Free Trade Agreement.