Business leaders welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s renewed anti-corruption drive in his fifth State of the Nation Address, saying a stronger crackdown on graft could improve investor confidence, while urging the administration to match its message with reforms that make the Philippines more competitive.
The business community broadly agreed that tackling corruption is essential to attracting long-term investments, but stressed that investors will ultimately judge the country by how quickly reforms translate into lower costs, faster approvals, and greater policy certainty.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Ferdinand Ferrer said the President struck the right tone by opening his address with flood control and corruption, describing both as urgent national concerns.
“He is not mincing words on the gravity of the situation and is letting the evidence track the guilty,” Ferrer said.
He also welcomed the administration’s focus on food and energy security, disaster resilience, trade facilitation, digitalization for micro, small and medium enterprises, healthcare, education, ASEAN cooperation, and protecting Philippine sovereignty.
Still, Ferrer said the business sector wanted a clearer roadmap for strengthening the country’s investment appeal amid intensifying competition across Southeast Asia. He cited the need for regulatory certainty, simpler business processes, long-term energy and food security, modernized education, and stronger partnerships with global investors.
Federation of Philippine Industries Chair Elizabeth Lee likewise said the President’s anti-corruption agenda could strengthen investor confidence, improve the country’s credit standing, and rebuild trust in public institutions.
She also backed the administration’s push to reduce electricity costs, arguing that affordable and reliable power remains one of the biggest determinants of manufacturing competitiveness. Lee said expanding nuclear, natural gas, hydrogen, and renewable energy would help secure long-term energy supplies while supporting industrial growth.
While she welcomed continued support for MSMEs, Green Lanes, and strategic investment initiatives such as Pax Silica, Lee said the next challenge is execution.
“The priority now shifts to swift execution, lowering operational costs, cutting red tape, and ensuring reforms translate directly to the factory floor,” she said.
