The recent State of the Nation Address by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. resonated deeply with many Filipinos due to his candid acknowledgment of corruption plaguing government projects, particularly those related to flood control. It definitely stirred up a hornet’s nest of angry reactions from the citizenry. The brazen and creative ways in which all those involved enriched themselves with the people’s money were unbelievable.

With the Philippines frequently battered by typhoons and monsoon rains, flood mitigation is not just a matter of convenience—it’s a matter of survival. In his SONA, the President revealed that billions of pesos allocated for these lifeline projects have been siphoned off through ghost contracts, padded expenses, sub-standard work and materials, and systemic racketeering involving agency executives, contractors, and politicians.

The President cited thousands of flood control projects worth billions of pesos that are deemed anomalous. Some lacked basic documentation or were found to be “ghost projects”—nonexistent despite being fully funded and paid. Some project specifications were duplicated across regions with identical contract costs, raising red flags about potential collusion and fraud. Alongside this revelation came a clear “Shame on you” message and a strong warning: those involved will be held accountable.

The exposé of irregularities and collusion in flood control initiatives served as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges the nation faces in ensuring the integrity of public service. I am one of those fortunate individuals who have experienced both sides of government procurement: as a vendor and a buyer. I used to complain that selling to the government was so complicated and tedious with all the documentary requirements and archaic processes. When I got on the other side of the fence, I realized that those requirements are in place because of the need to make everything transparent, as you are dealing with people’s money.

Perhaps even more significant, the President recently announced the launch of the sumbongsapangulo.ph portal, a digital platform designed to empower every Filipino to report questionable government projects directly. This initiative highlights a growing recognition of technology's pivotal role in combating corruption and promoting citizen engagement in governance. However, the application of technology should be an initiative aimed at truly transforming processes and driving the corresponding cultural changes within the agency. If not, we will merely be digitalizing inefficiencies and creating easy channels for corruption.

Corruption is not only endemic to the Philippines. Corruption in government and other sectors of society is a persistent challenge worldwide, often fueled by a lack of transparency, limited oversight, opportunities for illicit dealings, and general acceptance. One of the key enablers of corruption is secrecy. When information about projects—such as budgets, contracts, and progress—is hidden, corrupt practices can flourish unchecked.

Governments worldwide have adopted open data initiatives, publishing datasets of all funded projects, including the budget approval process, that civil society, journalists, and watchdog organizations can analyze for irregularities and transparency. Every agency must have an open data portal that allows citizens to monitor projects and expenditures in real-time. When government operations are brought into the light, opportunities for illicit activities diminish.

Online government portals, such as sumbongsapangulo.ph, serve as transparent windows into public administration. This portal provides a direct channel for citizens to report suspected corruption, bypassing bureaucratic hurdles and offering a degree of anonymity that can encourage whistleblowers to come forward. By leveraging the widespread use of the internet and mobile devices in the Philippines, this platform can act as an early warning system, allowing authorities to investigate potential issues promptly. The success of such a platform, however, hinges on ensuring the security and confidentiality of submissions, as well as a demonstrable commitment to acting on the information received.

It is time to institutionalize the practice of data analytics and start integrating artificial intelligence into government operations. By analyzing large datasets, governments can identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate fraudulent activities. AI algorithms can flag suspicious transactions, collusive bidding patterns in procurement, or ghost employees on government payrolls. Even geospatial technologies, such as satellite imagery and GIS, can play a role in monitoring the progress and quality of infrastructure projects, helping to prevent the siphoning of funds through “ghost projects” or substandard work.

While still an emerging technology, blockchain offers a decentralized and tamper-proof ledger for recording transactions. This can be particularly useful in areas such as land registration and supply chain management, ensuring the integrity of records and preventing fraudulent alterations.

As President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. emphasized, those who engage in corrupt practices will be held accountable. The fight against corruption is strengthened when technology and citizens unite, illuminating dark corners and demanding integrity at every level of government. Corruption thrives in darkness. Technology shines a light.

This is the future of governance: open, inclusive, and ever vigilant.