In last week's article, I shared the Philippines' success at the Open Gov Challenge Awards held during the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. But, beyond the distinctions, I believe our presence at the Summit manifests our country’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and inclusion under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership.

At the Opening Plenary, we joined thousands of open government champions and reformers from around the world. OGP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Aidan Eyakuze’s words served as a reminder of why we do this work: to make our communities stronger, fairer, and more resilient, so that future generations inherit governments they can trust, communities they can believe in, and a planet where dignity endures.

During the Steering Committee Meeting, it was heartening to hear CEO Eyakuze acknowledge the Philippines as one of the founding members now returning to the Committee — reinforcing our continued leadership and commitment to the open government agenda.

In my intervention, I underscored the importance of harnessing technology to strengthen reform efforts, ensuring that innovation bridges government and citizens. I also presented our country’s candidacy as incoming Co-Chair of the OGP Steering Committee. As lead of the OGP Programmatic Delivery Subcommittee, the Philippines works closely with the OGP Support Unit to scale thematic ambition across the Partnership and to provide oversight of OGP’s strategy for advancing open government reforms. Regardless of the election outcome, our country stands ready to take an active role in OGP leadership — bringing the voice of our people, the strength of our reforms, and the spirit of collaboration that defines our commitment to open government.

I was also honored to participate in two high-level sessions: the Roundtable on Advancing Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Reforms, and the Panel on New Strategies in the Fight Against Corruption. Both gatherings served as platforms to share best practices and exchange valuable insights with other nations equally determined to combat corruption and uphold integrity.

At the Roundtable, I shared key updates on the Philippines’ reform agenda — the passage of the National Government Procurement Act (NGPA), which institutionalizes open contracting, mandatory disclosure of beneficial ownership, and digitalized procurement; our removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list; the renewed momentum to pass the Right to Information (RTI) Bill, now part of the country’s legislative priority list; our top ranking in Asia in the latest Open Budget Survey; and the digital transformation of our public financial management systems.

Meanwhile, at the High-Level Panel on New Strategies in the Fight Against Corruption, I discussed how we continue to advance integrity reforms through the NGPA, stronger engagement of civil society organizations in the budget process, and deeper partnerships with local government units to ensure that national reforms are embraced and implemented at the local level.

It was encouraging to hear peers acknowledge and recognize our country’s initiatives and progress — proof that our efforts are gaining traction and global recognition. In fact, during the Philippine delegation’s bilateral meeting with the OGP, CEO Eyakuze congratulated the delegation on its wins and expressed enthusiasm for the country’s ongoing efforts to pass the RTI Bill.

The Philippines also proudly hosted several side events showcasing our open government initiatives, from procurement and fiscal reforms to civic engagement and digital governance.

At the side event titled, “Opening Classrooms, Opening Government: Transparency and Participation in Education Reform,” I highlighted how the OGP provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and co-creation, paving the way for some of the most innovative reforms in the education sector: the proposed budget for education for FY 2026; Department of Education’s Project Bukas; and the DBM’s Project Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation or Project DIME. I also cited initiatives from fellow OGP member countries, proof that opening up our education systems is not only a national priority but also a global imperative.

Meanwhile, at the “Global Launch of the Philippine Agenda for the Localization of the OGP,” hosted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and led by Secretary Jonvic Remulla, I reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing OGP at the local level by providing financial assistance to local open government initiatives, aligning local reforms with the PH-OGP’s 6th National Action Plan, and showcasing OGP local success stories on broader platforms. I believe that by advancing OGP localization, we can strengthen our democracies, empower our communities, and ultimately, make open government a lived reality for all. This side event also formalized the strategic partnership between the DILG and the OGP Support Unit, underscoring their shared commitment to deepening transparency, accountability, and citizen participation at the local level.

Beyond budget, our country’s strong participation at the OGP Global Summit affirms the Philippines’ leadership in transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. However, I believe real success lies in fortifying and making these commitments tangible — we need to translate these global achievements into sustainable reforms that are seen and felt by the people. Hence, I encourage everyone to join us in building our open Bagong Pilipinas, one founded on integrity, responsiveness, and inclusivity.