President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Tuesday reiterated the Philippines’ position to collaborate with the United Nations in fighting corruption.

Speaking during the 5th State Conference on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Implementation and Review, President Marcos stressed the country will remain as a proactive member of the global community for the said cause.

“With the provisions of the UNCAC, we continue to collaborate on the international front, emphasizing the importance of global partnerships in combating corruption,” the President said.

“By learning from and working with other nations, we strengthen our anti-corruption mechanisms while reaffirming our place as a proactive member of the global community,” he added.

The UNCAC is an international anti-corruption treaty ratified, accepted, approved, and acceded to by 180 countries.

It aims to promote and strengthen State Parties’ measures to prevent and combat corruption more effectively and efficiently; to facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in preventing and fighting corruption, including asset recovery; and to promote integrity, accountability, and proper management of public affairs and

properties.

The government signed the convention on December 9, 2023 and was subsequently ratified by the Senate on November 6, 2006.

As a state party of the UNCAC, the Philippines is obliged to comply with its treaty obligations.

These include initiatives “to develop, implement, and maintain effective, coordinated anti-corruption policies and measures that promote people participation and reflect the principles of the rule of law, proper management of public affairs and public property, integrity, transparency, and accountability.”

The state conference on Tuesday is focused on providing updates on anti-corruption efforts of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and constitutional commissions of the government.

A new Integrity Management Program (IMP) vision and roadmap will also be presented. The IMP is the national corruption prevention program of the government institutionalized pursuant to Executive Order No. 176, series of 2014.

At the end of the program, a manifesto of support was also presented to President Marcos. | PND