The Makati Business Club (MBC), a group of big and elite businesses based in the country’s financial district of Makati, has reiterated its support for specific measures that will help improve ease of doing business in the country and to fight graft and corruption. 
 

In a statement “Public Service, Not Private Enrichment”, the MBC cited its long-standing support for a Freedom of Information law (FOI), reform of the Bank Secrecy law, and strengthening of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities law (SALN), as well as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for digitalization as a tool to improve ease of doing business and to fight graft and corruption by increasing transparency.
 

The MBC statement, reissued Thursday, Aug. 24, in connection with the launch of "Mayors for Good Governance" also commended Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other public officials and citizens who called out or took action against the corruption that’s endemic in the society.

MBC explained that corruption takes resources away from public services like health, education, maintaining peace and order, and providing needed safe and resilient infrastructure that allow citizens and job creating businesses to flourish. This also necessitates the imposition of higher taxes to make up for lost revenues adding to the people’s burden and making the country uncompetitive, the statement added.
 

“Whether it is taking from public funds or taking or demanding bribes — in which citizens and businesses are either instigators, conspirators, or victims — the effect is the same,” Makati-based businesses said. 
 

“Corruption is a main culprit in the stunting of our youth, the decline in our learning achievements, and the challenges many Filipinos face as they make their way in life and society. It is a main cause of why the Philippines struggles to expand businesses, attract investment, and be globally competitive to create more jobs,” the statement added.
 

With that, MBC said, “we stand with Mayor Magalong and others in declaring that we want a Philippines where public officials focus on public service rather than private enrichment, and where citizens and businesses compete on a level playing field rather than bribe to get ahead or even just get along.”