Marcos calls for ‘deeper trust’ in governance at OGP regional meet
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. | FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged local and international leaders to foster “deeper trust” with each other through discussions and collaboration.
Speaking at the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) in Taguig City, Marcos welcomed the over 700 delegates from different parts of the country and the world who gathered to exchange best practices and insights on good governance.
“With this, I strongly call on all government agencies, local government units, and CSOs [civil society organizations], as well as our international friends and partners, to let us continue to work hand in hand in this very important endeavor,” Marcos said in his speech.
READ: DBM chief announces approval of NGPA IRR, key anti-corruption move
“Let us foster a deeper trust amongst each other that can only be earned through impactful dialogues, concrete actions, and genuine support,” he added.
Marcos highlighted the Philippine government’s initiative in combating corruption, particularly the signing of the New Government Procurement Act in July 2024.
“Borrowing the words of the Budget Secretary [Amenah Pangandaman] this is the biggest anti-corruption law in modern times,” he said.
READ: DBM told: Include medical supplies in centralized purchasing system
“It enables open contracting, which requires the disclosure of data and documents at every stage of the procurement process. Representatives from civil society organizations will be invited to participate in that process, further strengthening their ability to monitor public fund expenditure and contract implementation,” Marcos explained.
The OGP-APRM began on February 5 and will conclude on February 7. This is the first time the Philippines has hosted the event.
