Domestic manufacturers have expressed confidence that the ongoing investigations will produce positive results, citing the political will demonstrated by President Marcos, and the initial actions, such as the appointment of two top officials—at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC)—have boosted confidence within the business sector.
“We remain optimistic in light of the actions taken by the heads of both the DPWH and the BOC, and we look forward to the positive outcomes these initiatives are expected to yield,” said Elizabeth H. Lee, chairperson of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI).
FPI officials noted that the appointments of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno significantly elevate the level of confidence. However, they also cautioned that they are keeping a close watch.
“The President really did that in his words, so we are banking on that political will to actually push this forward. So that’s why the level of confidence is there. But we will need to see the results, and it looks like it’s moving in the right direction,” Lee stated.
While the final outcomes remain to be seen, Lee remarked, “What we’re seeing now is good.” She also highlighted the ongoing investigations at the Senate and Congress.
“In my recollection, have we ever had something like this where you actually have down to the secretaries or the commissioners that are vocalizing these things? I have not seen that, the whole thing, and then from the President, then the two, the House and the Senate, and then down to the agency heads,” she said.
Lee added that businesses are saying “thank goodness” because it’s about time these anomalous government transactions are being exposed.
According to Lee, legitimate companies are no longer participating in government bids because they feel like “deodorizers”—since the bidding process has already been manipulated.
In light of these developments, the FPI emphasized that institutionalizing transparent processes within BOC and DPWH is essential. This involves embedding standardized workflows and accountability mechanisms into daily operations to minimize opportunities for corruption or inefficiency.
To promote transparency, FPI has strongly called for the adoption of digital automation. This entails implementing end-to-end digital systems for transactions, approvals, and monitoring—aimed at reducing human intervention and ensuring traceability.
The group also advocates for regular, independent audits to promptly identify and address irregularities. Additionally, they proposed the creation of a Whistleblower Protection program, establishing secure channels for reporting misconduct that guarantee anonymity and protection for whistleblowers.
Furthermore, FPI emphasized the importance of training and awareness, advocating for regular ethics and compliance sessions to reinforce integrity and adherence to institutional protocols.
“These measures can foster a culture of accountability and transparency, reducing the influence of bad actors,” said the federation.
FPI Director Roberto Batungbacal also commented that this crisis presents an opportunity for reform. He urged the public to rally behind Dizon and the Department of Trade and Industry and to raise their voices—because, under normal circumstances, these issues might quickly be forgotten.
