Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda described corruption as a “tax on the poor” that severely undermines development outcomes during ADB’s International Anticorruption Day 2025 celebration held at the ADB headquarters.
Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis Sotto joined the event, themed “Embedding a Culture of Integrity: Lessons from Local Government and Procurement,” to share successful strategies for clean governance.
President Kanda issued a stark warning about the long-term cost of misconduct, stating, “Every year, corruption diverts funds meant to pave roads, build schools, and shield the vulnerable from economic shocks… The loss of these funds is not an accounting error. It is a tax on the poor that siphons away the future. Without integrity, our work is fragile and short-lived.” He emphasized that integrity must be deeply embedded within institutions to ensure a lasting positive impact.
The event featured a dynamic panel discussion with Mayor Sotto and Bernadine Fernz, Global Head of Infrastructure and Regional Head of Asia Pacific at the Open Contracting Partnership.
In his keynote remarks, Mayor Sotto highlighted that effective governance requires personal conviction and daily choices, not just policies. Drawing on Pasig City’s experience, he detailed:
Firm action against misconduct.
Gender sensitivity training for government staff.
Maintaining confidentiality in handling complaints.
Leveraging technologies like blockchain to strengthen transparency, while acknowledging its cautious but promising role.
Mayor Sotto stressed that corruption is a two-way street involving both public and private actors, demanding consistent integrity across all decisions, “from small decisions to major reforms.”
The program also included the presentation of the ADB’s Integrity Idol Awards, recognizing staff who exemplify the highest ethical standards in their work.
ADB firmly reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for corruption and its ongoing commitment to strengthening governance and integrity throughout its operations.
The bank’s strategy focuses on building robust systems to prevent fraud before it occurs through:
Preventive controls.
Risk-based supervision.
Thorough investigations.
Capacity building for its developing member countries.
ADB aligns its efforts with international standards, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and actively promotes a strong “tone from the top” to foster accountability and trust among partners and stakeholders.
ADB has observed International Anticorruption Day with a bank-wide program annually since 2011 to raise awareness and reinforce the collective responsibility in safeguarding development resources. By embedding integrity in its projects and institutional culture, ADB aims to ensure that every dollar of development finance delivers real and lasting benefits for the people of Asia and the Pacific.
