MANILA, Philippines — As corruption scandals and crises of public trust continue to plague the nation, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) called on leaders and citizens alike to demand accountability and integrity in governance during its “ISAng Bansa, ISAng Pangarap: National Summit for Public Governance” held on November 6 at the Dusit Thani Manila.
Now in its 25th year, ISA gathered over 300 reform advocates and sector leaders from government, business, and civil society to renew a nationwide movement for transparency, reform, and citizen empowerment through good governance.
Opening the Summit, ISA Chairman Francisco F. del Rosario Jr. urged Filipinos to confront systemic corruption with moral and decisive leadership. He reminded participants that governance reform must go beyond discussion and become daily practice.
The conference will address leadership, reforms and anti–corruption. But we cannot and should not let what are discussed remain as words. We have to put all of these into concrete action.
ISA Chairman Mr. Francisco del Rosario, Jr.
“Good governance is exactly what we need to address the tremendous crisis we are facing because of systemic corruption,” he said. “We cannot and should not let what are discussed remain as words. We have to put all of these into concrete action.”
Renowned economist, former Finance Secretary, and ISA Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao followed with a keynote that turned reflection into a call for unity.
“Good governance works and delivers transformative performance,” he said, leading the audience in the ‘I Am a Filipino’ pledge. “Let us rise for God, for country, for one another, for our Dream Philippines.”
To confront the barriers that keep public institutions from delivering real results, the first plenary on Institutional Leadership and Strategic Reforms brought together Stratbase Group Founder Victor Andres Manhit, Former Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Carlos-Fernando, and Former Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento. Moderated by Former San Fernando City, La Union Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega, the discussion focused on the need for institutionalized accountability and long-term strategic thinking.
Mr. Manhit underscored that governance reform must start with an informed electorate and transparent systems. Meanwhile, Ms. Fernando highlighted that “no amount of strategy can compensate for the absence of integrity,” stressing that true leadership looks beyond political cycles to public impact. Drawing from his years in local government, Mr. Sarmiento also emphasized citizen participation and value-driven politics.
“Government should work with the people to ensure that they work for the people,” he said, urging the next generation to “choose leaders by platform, not by name.”
97% of Filipinos believe that corruption has become widespread. Filipinos have lost faith in their leaders. The people are demanding something substantial and clear.
Stratbase Group Founder Mr. Victor Andres Manhit
As corruption continues to erode public trust, the second plenary on Public Sector Integrity and Anti-Corruption examined how moral leadership and citizen engagement can rebuild confidence in institutions. Moderated by veteran journalist Cathy Yang, the session featured Former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, PwC Philippines Chairman Emeritus Atty. Alexander Cabrera, and Former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Gen. Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero (Ret.).
Drawing from her experience in Naga City and as the country’s former Vice President, Mayor Robredo underscored that governance rooted in integrity and citizen participation is key to restoring trust. She recalled how Naga institutionalized participatory budgeting and people’s councils long before it became a national model.
“Every peso stolen is a peso stolen from our future,” she said. “Good governance is not something we demand from the people—it is something we must earn every day.”
Mayor Robredo stressed that corruption is not only a political issue but a moral one that must be fought every single day and at every level. She added that when wrongdoing is tolerated at the top, it emboldens the rest of the system. She further encouraged citizens—especially the youth—to view participation as essential to reform, echoing ISA’s core message of shared responsibility.
Atty. Cabrera followed with a strong critique of how corruption undermines both public and private institutions, warning that it “destroys our name and steals our opportunities.” He called for stronger enforcement, leadership accountability, and protection for those who choose to expose wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Gen. Guerrero reminded participants that while digitalization enhances transparency and efficiency, “true reform requires leaders with competence, character, and commitment.” He emphasized that technology can strengthen systems, but only values-driven leadership can sustain transformation.
The final plenary on Foundations of Reform: Voices from the Governance and Service Champions shifted the spotlight to institutions that have already walked the reform path. Moderated by BGen. Joel M. Paloma (Ret.), Former Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management, the session featured governance champions from defense, health, and the private sector.
Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the AFP, shared how the AFP’s adoption of the Performance Governance System (PGS), ISA’s governance framework, has fundamentally reshaped its culture, embedding discipline, transparency, and professionalism across the ranks.
“The adoption of the PGS significantly shaped our culture and way of working,” Gen. Brawner said, noting how the framework strengthened the AFP’s alignment with its vision of a credible, effective, and service-driven military organization.
He explained that the AFP’s transformation roadmap, developed through ISA’s framework, continues to serve as the backbone for institutional strategy and accountability. This roadmap, he emphasized, ensures that reform is not tied to leadership cycles but sustained across generations of soldiers and officers.
“Even after finishing the PGS, we will never stop transforming,” he added, underscoring the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement and integrity in service.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gerardo Manzo, Former Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Heart Center, affirmed that “good governance cannot be business as usual” but “a journey that transforms institutions and lives,” emphasizing how ISA’s partnership has strengthened the health sector’s capacity to deliver accessible and accountable public service.
From the private sector, BDO Foundation President Mario A. Deriquito emphasized that reform endures through collaboration, saying that public-private sector partnership goes beyond cooperation and reflects a shared commitment to nation-building. Meanwhile, PHINMA Corporation Chairman and CEO Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. connected education and governance, saying that “good education is the foundation of good citizenship” and the strongest safeguard against corruption.
It is a promise that ISA will continue to be a steadfast ally in nation-building, nurturing leaders, building systems, and fueling the fire of governance reform for decades to come.
ISA CEO Mr. Evaristo S. Francisco, Jr.
The Summit culminated in the unveiling of ISA’s new corporate video and the symbolic Digital Time Capsule Ceremony, led by ISA CEO Titoy Francisco Jr., as a pledge to carry the mission of reform beyond generations.
In his closing remarks, ISA Vice Chair Rex Drilon II delivered a reminder that resonated with the entire day’s proceedings.
“Public governance is not merely about policies or systems—it’s about character. Governance does not start in Congress nor in Malacañang, but in our conscience.”
As ISA enters its next quarter-century, its message remains clear: accountability is not the burden of a few, but the shared duty of every citizen. The movement for integrity continues—ISAng bansa, ISAng pangarap.