Context Dispatch
Corruption is an economic threat – Ombudsman
Governance and transparency dominated Day 2 of the Pilipinas Conference 2025 as Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla declared that economic stability begins with honest and accountable leadership.
Remulla told leaders from government, business, and the diplomatic community that investors look beyond numbers and examine whether rules are followed and public funds are protected. He warned that trust is “fragile” and that corruption remains an economic threat.
Gov’t pledges action vs words in widening anti-corruption campaign
The Marcos administration placed its anti-corruption drive at the forefront on the second day of the Pilipinas Conference 2025, with Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon telling national leaders and stakeholders that “something is really going to change” as the government pursues officials involved in wrongdoing, recover public funds, and fix systems long prone to abuse.
Japan–PH space ties highlighted at co-creation symposium
More than 200 representatives from government, industry, and academia in Japan and the Philippines convened for the Space Economy Co-Creation Symposium, jointly hosted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
Flood-control fears hammer September building activity
Building activity sharply contracted in September as the number of approved construction permits plunged 25 percent to 11,746, Philippine Statistics Authority data showed, signaling mounting investor unease amid the ongoing flood-control controversy affecting several growth corridors.
PBBM accepts resignations of ES, Budget chief
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday accepted the voluntary resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman after their implication in a flood control anomaly, signaling a swift shake-up in Malacañang. Press Officer Claire Castro announced that Finance Secretary Ralph Recto will step in as Executive Secretary, while Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo has been named Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Budget and Management. To fill the vacuum at Finance, Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs Frederick Go will take over Recto’s former post, marking a rapid realignment of the administration’s top economic managers.
