Arthur Fuentes

Philippine business groups press lawmakers for stronger anti-corruption body

Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765348258510ici.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/>Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </div><div> </div>MANILA -- A coalition of major Philippine business organizations is ramping up pressure on Congress to fast-track legislation creating a fully independent anti-corruption commission, warning that persistent graft is eroding investor confidence and weakening public institutions.In a joint statement on Wednesday, 20 business groups urged the Senate to immediately pass the bill establishing the Independent People’s Commission, while calling on the House of Representatives to act on a parallel measure that would create the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption.&quot;We also urge President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to certify the bills as urgent,&quot; the groups said in a joint statement.The groups said the country needs a more powerful and broadly mandated watchdog than the existing Independent Commission on Infrastructure, which they described as limited to an advisory role. The current body may recommend charges or asset seizures but cannot enforce them.By contrast, the proposed commissions would wield full investigative and prosecutorial powers, enabling them to conduct sweeping probes into corruption allegations in government projects, file administrative and criminal cases, and propose reforms to plug systemic vulnerabilities, the groups said.Business leaders argued that such an institution would bolster the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice, strengthen the rule of law, and help rebuild trust after a series of scandals involving the misuse of public funds.“The Filipino people deserve nothing less than the full truth,” the groups said, adding that an independent commission would ensure transparency “with no cover-ups, no sacred cows, and no political maneuvering.”Signatories include the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Bankers Association of the Philippines, FINEX, and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The groups said the country needs a more powerful and broadly mandated watchdog than the existing Independent Commission on Infrastructure, which they described as limited to an advisory role.

The groups said the country needs a more powerful and broadly mandated watchdog than the existing Independent Commission on Infrastructure, which they described as limited to an advisory role.