The Philippine government remains steadfast in its commitment to provide efficient and transparent public service as it assured Filipinos that measures are underway to fight corruption in the government.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said this after it was reported that the Philippines was up one spot from 116th last year to 115th place in the 2023 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) that the Berlin-based organization Transparency International released this week.

In a statement, Bersamin said the government recognizes the report which will push the government to do better in its fight against corrupt practices.

"The Government takes note of the slight improvement of the Philippines' standing in the Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International. We consider this result as both a challenge to do better and a reason for hope that the country is headed in the right direction," he wrote on Saturday, Feb. 3.

According to Bersamin, the Marcos administration is undertaking efforts, such as digitalization, to streamline processes and effectively address the issue.

"In line with the President's clarion call for the entire government 'to show in deeds, not in words, that it is deserving of the people's trust,' earnest efforts are already being undertaken to implement the digital transformation mandate of the Administration in order to streamline institutional processes and curtail opportunities for graft and corruption," he said.

The Palace official said the administration will not be remiss in fighting corruption.

"With the necessary transformational measures being put in place, let us be optimistic and assured that the government will not fail or falter in its steadfast commitment to effectively provide efficient and transparent public service," he said.

While still on the lower end of the spectrum among Asia-Pacific countries, the Philippines scored 34 out of 100 in the 2023 CPI. This is a notch higher than the score of 33 the country got in the 2022 CPI, but still below the average score of 43.

Countries are scored based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, with 0 being “highly corrupt,” to 100 being “very clean.”

Among those measured were:

• Bribery
• Diversion of public funds
• Use of public office for private gain without facing consequences
• The inability of governments to contain corruption and excessive red tape
• Nepotistic appointments in the civil service
• Laws on disclosure of finances and potential conflicts of interest
• Legal protection for people who report cases of bribery and corruption
• State capture by narrow vested interests
• Access to information on public affairs and government activities