Amid rising concerns over corruption in government projects, former Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, one of the key speakers at the 1st South Negros Summit on Ethical Leadership in Kabankalan City, presented solutions to address the escalating issue of kickbacks.
In an interview with Brigada News FM Philippines on April 2, Mendoza acknowledged the increasing prevalence of kickbacks in government projects, which siphon off a significant portion of funds intended for these initiatives.
She proposed a thorough review of the procurement law and stressed the need for stronger monitoring systems, with increased participation from citizen groups to ensure transparency throughout the process.
Mendoza emphasized that the public cannot simply rely on the government to combat corruption. Citizens must play an active, crucial role in ensuring accountability and transparency.
“There needs to be an active citizenry that will oversee. There must also be strict project monitoring—from contract review to post-completion monitoring,” she added.
Mendoza also pointed out that although the country has a range of anti-corruption laws, weak enforcement remains a significant issue.
She said that if government processes continue to fall short, the public must step up to ensure more effective oversight and accountability.
Meanwhile, Zelnor Marie Gatoc, coordinator of the South Negros Summit on Ethical Leadership, praised Mendoza’s competence and integrity, emphasizing that her track record makes her the ideal leader.
“Leadership is not about titles or authority—it’s about standing up for what is right, even when it’s difficult,” Gatoc said. He stressed that true leadership is rooted in integrity, accountability, and responsible decision-making—principles that remain crucial even when no one is watching.
The summit gathered hundreds of students from different higher education institutions, along with representatives from various sectoral groups, including church leaders.
They convened at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Covered Court on Wednesday to participate in meaningful discussions on leadership and values.
Mendoza joined fellow senatorial candidate Bam Aquino and ML Partylist’s third nominee, Erin Tanada, at the summit, where both also served as speakers.
Mendoza has already garnered support from prominent figures such as former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela, women’s rights advocates, and urban poor groups in the province.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.