Sara Duterte: Digitalization `weapon against corruption’
Vice President Sara Duterte. PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday urged greater investment in digital transformation, describing it as a “weapon against corruption” that can end the manipulation of public funds through the digitalization of government processes.
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In a speech at the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the SMX Convention Center, Duterte noted how digital transformation has become a strategic tool for good governance and nation-building, as it enabled innovation in the business sector, all while improving the country’s capacity to deliver public services.
“More importantly, it is our weapon against corruption. As we digitize, we automate our processes, make data and all government transactions seamless, borderless, and transparent, and we leave no room for scrupulous backdoor transactions,” said Duterte.
“We take away the power of corrupt leaders to manipulate public funds and capitalize on people’s money for their personal interests, greed, and political ambition,” she added.
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Duterte noted how technology has allowed the government to more effectively impose checks and balances, as well as eliminate “politically motivated decision-making,” and prevent “unconstitutional budget insertions to curry political favor at the expense of the people’s money.”
“If technology is a blessing to modern society, then let us use it to protect the people’s rights and welfare – the right to have better governance, the right to have better opportunities in our homeland, and the strong political will to put our leaders in check when they have unforgivably gone beyond the authority that the people have vested in them,” said Duterte.
“Let us use technology and digital transformation as weapons to close the door where corruption once thrived, unchecked and unpunished,” she added.
Furthermore, Duterte noted investing in digital transformation is tantamount to investing in the country’s people, building better future opportunities, and creating a stronger and more competitive nation.
“These strategies will be significant economic drivers that will help create local jobs, increase domestic activities, and spur development and progress in domestic and micro-economies across the Philippines,” said Duterte.
Duterte’s pronouncements come amid the government and the private sector’s ongoing efforts to improve digitalization.
Her remarks also reflected recent government corruption scandals, including the alleged anomalies in infrastructure deals—particularly, flood control projects—as well as her own office’s alleged misuse of confidential funds. /mr
