Manila: Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday emphasized that the ongoing reforms by his office and the Marcos administration are substantive efforts to enhance transparency in government, rather than mere performative gestures. Speaking at the Stratbase Pilipinas Conference, Remulla highlighted the importance of honest, transparent, and accountable governance for economic security.

According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla has implemented significant changes within the Office of the Ombudsman, including measures to regulate and provide access to public officers' statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN). He also emphasized the need for transparency in the Ombudsman's proceedings, all part of a broader commitment to ensure predictability in government operations.

Remulla stressed that transparency cannot exist behind closed doors and that these initiatives are far from symbolic gestures. He warned against allowing political convenience to override legal processes, noting that circumventing these processes can lead to adverse outcomes for the country. He underscored the importance of careful attention to detail, as missing details can have significant negative consequences.

He further explained that investors evaluating a country focus on rule adherence, fairness in decisions, and proper allocation of public funds, rather than just economic indicators. Trust, he noted, is a crucial issue for the government, as it takes years to build but can be destroyed by a single scandal.

Highlighting the broader impact of corruption, Remulla stated that it poses an economic threat, not just a governance issue. He illustrated that every misappropriated peso in infrastructure is a missed opportunity, leaving communities vulnerable and signaling unpredictability to potential investors.