Businessmen launch anti-corruption project

MANILA, Philippines –  Local and foreign businessmen have united to form an anti-corruption project that will receive a $1.4-million grant from Siemens AG.

In a joint press conference, the Makati Business Club (MBC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) launched the Philippine Integrity Initiative, which will help eradicate corruption in the Philippines, specifically in the business arena.

Henry Schumacher, executive vice president of the ECCP said around 300 companies signed up for the initiative.

“We have a good mix of local and foreign companies, both small and big,” he said.

Among those that pledged support are Jollibee Foods Corp., Manila Electric Co., Ayala Corp., HSBC and De La Salle University System.

To date, almost 300 companies have signed the Integrity Pledge through their CEOs, presidents, managing directors, and other top-level officials.

As company heads, they acknowledge their companies’ responsibility to lead by example in the fight against corruption and operate their businesses ethically and with integrity.

Eventually, the project aims to get the support of all levels of the business organization, especially the rank and file, through integrity circles, codes of conduct, and concrete control measures.

Schumacher said they are calling on the government to support the movement.

“We want to create a level playing field to do business in the country and to eradicate corruption,” he said.

The Integrity Initiative is the boldest move yet by the private sector to combat corruption in the Philippines. It begins by getting top management of companies to expressly commit to ethical business practices and good corporate governance through the Integrity Pledge.

MBC president Ramon del Rosario said the impact of this project will be huge.

“We want to jail the big fish and to send the message that crime does not pay,” he said.

Other groups that have pledged support for the Integrity Initiative are the Asian Institute of Management-Ramon del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Governance, Management Association of the Philippines, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, and the Coalition Against Corruption. –Ma. Elisa P. Osorio (The Philippine Star)