Manila: Newly appointed Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon on Wednesday emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms and transparency in the national budget system, identifying these as the 'most powerful' strategies against corruption.
According to Philippines News Agency, De Leon stated that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), leading the Philippine - Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), is dedicated to promoting reforms that enhance citizen engagement and institutionalize openness, accountability, and participatory governance. He highlighted that corruption flourishes not only due to bad actors but also in environments with weak systems, outdated processes, inaccessible information, and fragmented accountability mechanisms.
During the Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2025 Result Forum at the DBM central office in San Miguel, Manila, De Leon underscored the importance of reforming systems as a vital anti-corruption measure. He noted that transparency involves more than just publishing documents; it requires establishing systems that minimize discretion, ensure traceable processes, and make transactions visible, empowering the public to participate and demand accountability.
De Leon emphasized the role of innovation, discipline, and sustained collaboration with oversight institutions, civil society, and citizens in ensuring the success of reform initiatives. He pointed out that open government is essential for making governance more intelligent, responsive, efficient, and worthy of public trust. Trust, he said, is crucial for the success of any reform agenda, regardless of its technical soundness.
The Marcos administration's pursuit of public financial management reforms is anchored on institutional integrity, digital transformation, and efficient service delivery, De Leon added. He expressed optimism that the forum would enhance collaboration with stakeholders and expedite modernization efforts to achieve tangible results, particularly in budgeting, procurement, digitalization, and open government.
The event showcased the Philippines' performance in the OBS 2025 of the International Budget Partnership (IBP), a global evaluation of budget transparency, public participation, and oversight. De Leon reported that the Philippines achieved a transparency score of 76 out of 100, surpassing its scores in previous years and exceeding the Philippine Development Plan target score.
Moreover, the country's budget oversight score of 68 out of 100 reflects strong institutional checks and balances, supported by Congress, the Commission on Audit, civil society organizations, and development partners. While these achievements are encouraging, De Leon stressed that they are not the final goal, emphasizing the government's commitment to creating open, participatory, and people-centered governance.
He concluded by stating that these rankings serve as indicators of the progress in making institutions more transparent, systems more credible, government processes more resistant to abuse and corruption, and in ensuring that citizens feel the government is genuinely working for them.
