Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen called for collective action and deep institutional reforms to address corruption, saying the problem is rooted in historical and structural weaknesses that continue to erode public trust.
Speaking at the 2025 Sikhay Laban sa Korapsyon (SiLaK) forum marking International Anti-Corruption Day, Leonen said corruption in the Philippines is fueled by political dynasties, oligarchic influence, and regulatory capture, which weaken public services and deepen inequality.
He noted that recent public disclosures of misconduct show “fundamental fractures” in the system but also reflect a more engaged and demanding citizenry.
Leonen reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to integrity and transparency, citing reforms under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, including the new Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability, expanded digital platforms, eFiling, online access to court records, and specialized courts handling corruption cases.
He stressed that judges and public officials must be held to higher standards and warned that silence in the face of corruption makes institutions complicit, adding that corruption should have no place in government, including the Judiciary.
The SiLaK forum gathered top officials, anti-corruption advocates, and international partners, underscoring the need for stronger democratic institutions, accountability, and active citizen participation in fighting corruption.IMT
