- IBP pitches in as it declares corruption ‘not isolated abuses’
THE INTEGRATED Bar of the Philippines (IBP) asserted that recent revelations on “ghost and substandard” flood control projects are not isolated incidents but rather “symptoms of a deeper affliction” of corruption.
The IBP announced on Thursday the launch of a new nationwide anti-corruption campaign to address what it calls a systemic problem.
In a formal statement, the IBP condemned the scandals, saying they “distort priorities, corrode trust, and mortgage the future of our people.”
The organization stressed that the true cost of corruption is not merely the loss of government funds but the suffering of the most vulnerable.”
Each act of plunder is not only illicit enrichment, but it is also a direct assault on dignity,” the statement read, adding that it is a violation of the constitutional mandate that public office is a public trust.
To combat this, the IBP will establish Anti-Corruption Desks in all of its chapters.
These desks will serve as “frontline mechanisms for receiving evidence, addressing complaints, and facilitating remedies.”
In addition to the local desks, the IBP is forming a Committee for Good Governance to provide impartial oversight and investigate allegations of corruption.
The organization said this dual framework is designed to unite grassroots accessibility with systemic oversight, reinforcing accountability at every level of government.
The IBP’s statement also pointed out that corruption in government projects, particularly within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has implicated contractors, several lawmakers, and government officials.
The organization urged authorities to hold all those involved accountable.
The IBP concluded by stating its commitment to “rebuild trust by creating systems where accountability is no longer exceptional, but expected.”
