Unsatisfied with the progress of ongoing investigations, top business and civil society groups have called on the Marcos Jr. administration to implement time-bound reforms aimed at eradicating corruption in public infrastructure projects once and for all.

In a joint statement on Thursday, Dec. 18, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), Justice Reform Initiative (JRI), and Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) stressed that corruption has long been a recurring issue in government projects.

The groups said corruption scandals over the years—from the NBN-ZTE broadband deal to flood control projects—reflect how such irregularities are deeply ingrained in the public infrastructure system.

They noted that the recurring pattern of these issues reflects a clear intersection of political patronage and dynastic influence, combined with “opaque procurement processes, weak oversight, and poor accountability in the use of public funds.”

The groups said the private sector is right to voice its concerns on the matter but emphasized that mere statements are not enough.

“Now is the time to act. Business, professional, and civil society groups should demand urgent reforms to be implemented now to end the grim consequences of corruption, whose magnitude has shocked the country,” they said.

For their part, the four groups said they are proposing a set of time-bound reforms that the government could adopt to protect public funds, especially those allotted for infrastructure projects worth ₱50 million and above.

By Jan. 1, 2026, the groups said the government should implement a system to automatically flag suspicious payments, complemented by the disclosure of beneficial ownership starting March 1.

Specifically, they are calling for the integration of ownership data from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) with tax records from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

These would then be linked to the Modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (mPhilGEPS) to enable real-time verification.

By March 31, the groups said the government should move toward full transparency in disbursements and contracts by making them available online and linked to mPhilGEPS.

They said this could initially be piloted with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the agency currently under fire over the flood control scandal.

The following day, or by April 1, the groups said the government should establish a policy to initiate a joint audit within 90 days of identifying red flags indicating potential irregularities.

The audit is recommended to be carried out by the DPWH, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Commission on Audit (COA), and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

By June 30, the groups said a public dashboard tracking delays, cost overruns, and repeat contract winners should already be in place.

The groups noted that other countries have adopted similar frameworks, saying that “many have succeeded in reducing corruption.”

“The Philippines can—and must—do the same,” they said.

Beyond the proposed timeline, the four groups underscored that the Office of the Ombudsman must remain focused on independent investigation, prosecution, and whistleblower protection.

They added that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), or a comparable oversight mechanism, should lead compliance monitoring, transparency enforcement, and early-warning systems.

Meanwhile, the courts—particularly the Sandiganbayan and designated trial courts—must prioritize the swift resolution of major corruption cases.

“Delays perpetuate impunity, signal tolerance for corruption, and erode public trust in the rule of law,” the statement read.

The groups said they are open to supporting the government in enforcing these reforms through technical insights, consultations, and independent monitoring.

“The window for reform is open, and we should seize the momentum without delay,” they said.