Group urges constitutional reforms to curb corruption

MANILA, Philippines — The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) is pushing for constitutional change to address corruption issues in the country.

“In order to address the roots of corruption, we have to have a constitutional change,” FEF president Calixto Chikiamco said during Stratbase Group’s 2025 Pilipinas Conference yesterday.

The FEF is a public advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the cause of economic and political liberty, good governance, secure and well-defined property rights, market-oriented reforms and consumer welfare.

Chikiamco said changes can be done through a constitutional convention in 2028, at the same time as the presidential elections.

“And then they’ll be given at least one, maximum of two years to come up with a new constitution and submit it to the country for a referendum to approve the new constitution,” he said.

While corruption is not unique to the Philippines, Chikiamco said its level has gone up in the country. “If you want to stop it, we have to change our political and economic system,” he said.

He said there is a need to strengthen the country’s political party system.“We need a strong political party system with state financing of political parties so that an individual politician doesn’t have to steal from the government to be able to campaign. It’s his political party that will campaign for him, and the political party gets its funds from the state. ” 

In terms of changing the economic system, Chikiamco said there is a need to remove the Filipino-first policy, while pushing for other reforms to make local industries globally competitive.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman George Barcelon told reporters that while he is not opposed to amending the constitution, he is concerned about its timing, amid an ongoing investigation into the flood control scandal.

“We have this concern right now and in a way, it’s a very serious situation,” he said. 

Barcelon said some politicians may use a constitutional change  at this time for their vested interest.

For the PCCI, what is needed now is to hold those involved in the flood control controversy responsible and accountable.

“We in the private sector, we are demanding that they be held accountable for all of this wrongdoing, all of this stealing the country blind with impunity,” he said.