Philippines
News and blog
Boosting business integrity in Asia: the power of public-private cooperation
A joint blog by Vanessa Hans, Director, Private Sector, Basel Institute on Governance, and Elodie Beth, Senior Manager, Anti-corruption, Global Relations, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD . The post is also published on the OECD website. Clean, ethical business practices build trust, attract investors and create healthier markets. For the OECD, business integrity is key to levelling the global playing field and enhancing national competitiveness. Amid global regulatory uncertainty, countries like Indonesia and Thailand are stepping up. Both are taking meaningful steps to strengthen their anti-corruption frameworks as they move towards joining the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention – a critical milestone and prerequisite for future OECD membership. Their actions reflect a broader shift: governments across Asia increasingly recognise that corruption undermines competitiveness, deters investment and jeopardises sustainable, long-term growth. A 2024 regional study confirms it: Asian countries that have improved their control of corruption are far more likely to attract foreign direct investment and foster long-term growth. Regional co-operation and the role of Collective Action Recognising that no single actor can tackle corruption alone, public- and private-sector actors are joining forces at the regional level through the Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific ACI , co-led by the OECD and Asian Development Bank. The ACI, jointly supported by the OECD and the Asian Development Bank, launched a business integrity workstream in 2019, initiated by the Government of Viet Nam as the host country. Last year, the Government of Bhutan held business integrity seminars, and in 2025, Indonesia is expected to host the Regional ACI Conference. These Collective Action efforts are underpinned by the OECD’s 2021 Anti-Bribery Recommendation, the first global standard to formally recognise the role of Collective Action and partnerships between the public and private sectors against foreign bribery. Spotlight on innovation: Promising business integrity initiatives across the region From risk mapping to regulatory reform, here are standout examples of how countries are taking action through public-private initiatives: Australia: The Bribery Prevention Network brings together business, civil society, academia and government to help small- and medium-sized enterprises prevent, detect and address bribery and corruption while promoting a culture of compliance. India: The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, a global initiative, set up a HelpDesk in India serving as a real-time resolution mechanism that bridges the gap between the shipping industry and local authorities. It collects anonymous reports by shipping companies of bribe solicitation in ports and uses this data to map out risk areas and tailor its strategies to engage with local government authorities. Hong Kong, China: The Independent Commission Against Corruption is engaged in several sector-specific Collective Action initiatives, particularly in construction and banking. It collaborates with chambers of commerce and industry associations such as the Construction Industry Council. Thailand: In 2024, the Thai government amended its procurement law to recognise certification by the Thai Collective Action Against Corruption CAC initiative as proof of a company’s anti-corruption controls. This enables CAC-certified firms to qualify for public contracts above a certain threshold, incentivising private-sector compliance. These experiences illustrate how government authorities are increasingly participating in Collective Action initiatives to enhance their awareness-raising efforts, gather better evidence and develop tailored solutions that reflect the realities of different sectors and companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises. By engaging in such initiatives, government authorities can increase their overall outreach, lend greater legitimacy to private-sector anti-corruption efforts and effectively promote the adoption of business integrity policies. Building a regional community of practice To sustain momentum, the OECD and the Basel Institute on Governance have launched a regional community of practice. In 2023, the Asia-Pacific Collective Action Forum was held in Manila, Philippines, bringing together 50+ practitioners from diverse stakeholder groups across the region. The Asia-Pacific Anti-Corruption Collective Action Award recognised the growing number of initiatives in the region and celebrated their achievements. The Thai CAC received the inaugural award. Encouraged by the Forum’s success, participants expressed strong interest in sustaining and deepening exchanges among practitioners. A follow-up Collective Action workshop was held in 2024 in Bangkok, in collaboration with the Thai CAC. The workshop further strengthened the emerging community of practice and provided a valuable platform for peer learning. This regional community has created a meaningful space for peer learning and experience sharing. It has also contributed to greater alignment with international standards. Looking ahead: co-operation as the path forward These developments show that business integrity reforms are not only possible but already underway. In 2025, the OECD will release a policy paper examining the link between business integrity frameworks and competitiveness. The paper underscores how public-private cooperation is not only advancing reform, but also makes countries more attractive to investment and resilient to shocks. Although still in their early stages, the emergence of Collective Action and partnerships between the public and private sectors in Asia offers a promising path forward to advance integrity. Sustained cooperation will be crucial to fully realising the potential of these initiatives. Learn more and get engaged OECD work on fighting foreign bribery OECD and ADB Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific B20 Collective Action Hub by the Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper 48: A collaborative approach to improve business integrity in ASEAN by Lucie Binder, Vanessa Hans and Anna Stransky, Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper 56: Anti-corruption Collective Action: A typology for a new era by Scarlet Wannenwetsch, Basel Institute on Governance
Asia-Pacific Forum: Collective Action key to driving business integrity
Asia and the Pacific are expected to contribute to around 70 percent of global growth in 2023 – but sustaining this economic development in the face of environmental and social challenges will be tough. Business integrity, transparency and collaboration are key. That is why we applaud the numerous initiatives that have blossomed throughout the region, bringing together stakeholders from different sectors to jointly work towards a cleaner and fairer business environment. On 25 September 2023, individuals from these Collective Action initiatives converged at the Asia-Pacific Anti-Corruption Collective Action Forum in Manila, Philippines. Organised by the Basel Institute in partnership with the Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific ACI – a joint initiative of the OECD and ADB – this one-day event sought to harness the talent and ideas of anti-corruption champions from across countries and sectors. Highlights The gathering was a platform for sharing experiences, learning from peers and forging new synergies. Highlights included: An introductory presentation from Jose Solomon Cortez of the Ramon V. Del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Responsibility at the Asian Institute of Management. He challenged participants to transcend sectoral boundaries by fostering a common vision for enhancing business integrity. Four panel sessions that identified incentives and opportunities for Collective Action, looked at the role of small and medium enterprises and civil society organisations in driving Collective Action initiatives, and highlighted the links between good governance and sustainable development. Three breakout sessions that provided opportunities for in-depth discussions on the themes raised during the panel sessions and aimed at capturing participants' aspirations. During the event, Elodie Beth-Seo of the OECD's Anti-Corruption Division remarked: A multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder approach is required to address corruption in the region. Participants and speakers agreed that the Forum should mark the start of more coordinated collaboration across the region to address corruption, improve business integrity and increase participation from all sectors. Award winner: Thai CAC The Thai Private Sector Collective Action Against Corruption CAC was presented with the Basel Institute’s Anti-Corruption Collective Action Award following a jury selection and public vote. The Thai CAC boasts a membership of over 1,400 companies and has gained growing recognition both in Thailand and internationally for its contribution to cleaner business. The Thai CAC encourages companies large and small to declare their intention to fight corruption, to assess their own corruption risks and to develop anti-corruption policies and measures. Representatives of the Thai CAC highlighted that: The Thai CAC remains committed to amplifying its success stories across diverse platforms, with the hope of inspiring others to join the anti-corruption Collective Action movement. The award, received by the initiative's Director Phrommet Bencharongkit , recognises the outstanding achievements of Collective Action initiatives in the fight against corruption and a demonstrated commitment to a culture of transparency and accountability. The other two finalists were the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network – India and the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber. Both demonstrated exceptional commitment to business integrity and produced tangible results in their endeavours. More The event was supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative. See more information and photos from the Forum. Read about the ACI's 11th Regional Conference. Learn more about anti-corruption Collective Action on the B20 Collective Action Hub, our free resource centre with a global database of initiatives, the latest research and opportunities to join the community.
Fostering anti-corruption in Asia–Pacific through Collective Action
Business integrity is vital to the health of the vibrant economies of the Asia-Pacific region, as well as of the companies based or seeking to do business in the region. Fostering trust and transparency through Collective Action between stakeholders – local businesses, foreign investors, governments, civil society – is key to advancing a strong culture of business integrity, levelling the playing field and solving practical challenges that hold back fair business. Business integrity is one of the three pillars of the Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific ACI of the Asian Development Bank ADB and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD . The initiative was formed in 1999 to cooperate with governments in the fight against corruption and support national and multilateral efforts to reduce corruption in Asia and the Pacific. The ACI includes two additional pillars: Law Enforcement and Public Integrity. We are delighted to have joined the ACI’s Advisory Group, alongside representatives from the Australian Attorney General's Office and Federal Police, Transparency International and UNODC among others. This marks an expansion of our role, building on our Private Sector team’s ongoing support to the ACI’s Working Group on Business Integrity launched in 2019. 11th Regional Conference – exploring Collective Action The ACI’s 11th Regional Conference in Manila, Philippines, from 9–11 May was the first in-person meeting and conference since the Covid-19 pandemic, making it a valuable opportunity to map out pathways for future work. These will follow the Initiative’s mandate to support the 34 member governments in three core areas: Policy dialogue and sharing anti-corruption best practices at the regional meetings and conferences Policy analysis, including thematic reviews and stocktaking Corruption prevention and law enforcement capacity development activities At a plenary on business integrity moderated by our Head of Private Sector Vanessa Hans, representatives from the Malaysia-based Business Integrity Alliance, Thai Collective Action Against Corruption and National Commission of Supervision of China explored how Collective Action can support prevention efforts in the region. The plenary was followed by a breakout session facilitated by Vanessa Hans in order to identify Collective Action initiatives in the region and share best practices. Emphasising the importance of the ACI due to its scope, reach and the involvement of so many motivated and knowledgeable professionals, Vanessa Hans said: The ACI is a great platform for peer learning and showcasing of best practices in the anti-corruption community within Asia and the Pacific. Topics of business integrity and the benefits of anti-corruption Collective Action have been central to the discussions during the conference. We at the Basel Institute are honoured to be able to support this initiative. Looking back Our support to the ACI’s Advisory Group looks back to the former role of our Managing Director Gretta Fenner as the founding Programme Manager of the ACI in 1999/2000. At that time, the group endorsed the first ever regional collaborative framework to combat corruption in the Asia-Pacific region the Anti-Corruption Action Plan for Asia-Pacific . The group continued to lead innovation in the fight against corruption, for example in the immediate aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when the ACI swiftly brought together governments, the private sector and civil society to address urgent corruption risks and prevention mechanisms in the tsunami reconstruction process. This was a pioneering approach at a time when multistakeholder collaboration through Collective Action was still a novel concept. Looking ahead We look forward to continuing to support the ACI through the Advisory Group as we increase our anti-corruption work and partnerships in the region. Save the date, among other things, for our regional Collective Action Forum in the Philippines on 25 September 2023. This will follow a similar format to our Southern Africa Collective Action Forum on 31 May 2023 and include a regional award for an outstanding anti-corruption Collective Action initiative. Questions? Ask our Collective Action Helpdesk.
Basel Institute contributes case study of Philippines on successful social accountability
The Basel Institute has contributed a case study on successful social accountability to Integrity Action and UNDP's initiative to make available a series of knowledge management tools to promote bottom up demand for good governance. This case study from the Philippines reflects on the results of the application of an assessment methodology to contextualise social accountability that has been developed by the research team at the Institute's Public Governance Division in collaboration with UNDP.
Assessment of social accountability projects through an ethnographic perspective (Basel Institute and UNDP)
The Basel Institute and the United Nations Development Programme UNDP are partnering in a research project on the potential of community-based participatory approaches for strengthening anti-corruption efforts. The initiative involves conducting a baseline assessment of context sensitive indicators in the communities targeted by ongoing social accountability initiatives supported by UNDP in the Philippines, Serbia, Ghana and Papua New Guinea. The collaboration is intended to generate recommendations to improve the effectiveness of these projects by incorporating detailed information on local context. A second evaluation will be undertaken in three years' time in order to assess impact.
Publications
Policy Brief 13: Catalysing the private sector for disaster response and resilience – Case study of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation
Extreme weather events, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and epidemics cause the loss of countless lives and bring disruption to many countries. Governments and humanitarian aid agencies are expected to be at the forefront of preparing for and responding to such disasters.
However, occasionally the scale and impact of some natural disasters are so large that additional resources beyond what governments can provide become necessary. In such cases, efforts may be perceived as insufficient and slow. Resources and efforts need to be augmented in order to provide relief and support to those who need it most.
Could the private sector take a more leading role in pre- and post-disaster efforts? How could a structured, long-term engagement reduce the inevitable integrity risks in high-stress disaster situations involving numerous government, business and international actors?
This Policy Brief looks at how the Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) has emerged as a leading private-sector coordinator for disaster risk reduction and management.
It illustrates the important role that the private sector can play in responding to – and building resilience to – natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies. It also showcases how vital it is for good governance, integrity and transparent collaboration to be at the heart of those efforts.
About this Policy Brief
This publication is part of the Basel Institute on Governance Policy Brief series, ISSN 2624-9669 and relates to our work to promote anti-corruption Collective Action with the private sector.
You may freely share or republish it under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
(Forthcoming) Working Paper 49: Dirty deals – Case studies on corruption in waste management and trade
Waste management is an essential public service and a huge industry at the local, national and international levels. Getting it right is essential if we are to achieve a circular economy and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Complex legal frameworks and their weak implementation open up spaces for criminals to profit from illegally managing or trading in waste. The consequences on the environment and human health can be severe. The role of corruption in crimes involving waste is unexplored.
An initial analysis shows the potential for corruption to play a role in:
- influencing policy decisions involving waste management;
- corrupt deals involving the selection of waste management companies linked to powerful elites;
- schemes to gain lucrative waste management contracts through systematic bribery;
- illegal imports of hazardous substances for profit, avoiding or suppressing formal controls.
The report explores five case studies (Albania, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Canada–Philippines, US–South America) and proposes a typology of corruption patterns in crimes involving waste management and trade.
About the report
This report is part of the Environmental Corruption Deep Dive Series, a multidisciplinary research project of the Green Corruption programme at the Basel Institute on Governance. The series is made possible by the generous support of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
It is also part of the Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper Series, ISSN: 2624-9650. You may share or republish the report under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence.
Working Paper 48: A collaborative approach to improve business integrity in ASEAN: Case studies of anticorruption Collective Action in the region
This working paper provides an overview and analysis of anti-corruption Collective Action case studies in the ASEAN region. It builds on the 2014 paper: Collective Action against Corruption: Business and Anti-Corruption Initiatives in ASEAN, which was published by the ASEAN CSR Network and the Asian Institute of Management.
This 2023 paper reviews the initiatives featured in the 2014 paper and highlights new initiatives that have emerged in the region since then. It covers:
- Indonesia: Indonesia Business Links
- Malaysia: Corporate Integrity System Malaysia
- Philippines: Integrity Initiative and project SHINE
- Thailand: Collective Action Against Corruption
- Thailand: Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand
- Vietnam: Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry and its Office for Business
The analysis identifies several success factors, while noting that Collective Action is a flexible approach that can and must be tailored to different contexts.
About this Working Paper
The authors would like to thank the Asian Institute of Management and the representatives of the initiatives featured in this paper for their time and contributions.
This paper is made possible through the support of the Siemens Integrity Initiative.
The publication is part of the Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper Series, ISSN: 2624-9650. You may share or republish the Working Paper under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Suggested citation: Binder, Lucie, Vanessa Hans, and Anna Stransky. 2023. ‘A collaborative approach to improve business integrity in ASEAN: Case studies of anti-corruption Collective Action in the region.’ Working Paper 48, Basel Institute on Governance. Available at: https://baselgovernance.org/publications/wp48.
Working Paper 24: It takes two to tango. Decision-making processes on asset return
This Working Paper presents findings from a research project that sought to better understand decision-making processes on the return of illegally obtained assets using the examples of past cases of returning assets that had been stolen from Kazakhstan, Peru and the Philippines. While previous papers on the subject of returning stolen assets and end-use of returned assets were based on third-party and desk research, the research feeding into this working paper is based on first-hand accounts collected through semi-structured interviews with key decision makers involved in these cases in the concerned states.
The key objective of the research was to better understand the motivations, considerations and processes that led to the decisions on how and for what purpose to use returned assets. In this context, the report in particular looks at a question often debated in asset recovery circles, namely whether there may be a power imbalance between requesting and requested states in these processes despite the fact that requesting states are legally empowered through the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
The potential existence of such a power imbalance has in the past often given rise to concern, as it is perceived to potentially compromise the fundamental principles of asset return of UNCAC and the sovereignty of the concerned states.
About this Working Paper
This paper is part of the Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper Series, ISSN: 2624-9650.
Participatory monitoring, Philippines
This case study pertains to an assessment conducted by the Basel Institute on Governance, in collaboration with UNDP’s Global Anti-Corruption Initiative (GAIN), of a social accountability monitoring project in the municipality of San Miguel, Bohol in the Philippines.
The aforementioned project, called Bayaniham Undertaking Living in a Healthy and Organised Neighborhood or BULHON sa Panguma (BULHON), involves the monitoring of agricultural subsidies and was developed and implemented by the Government Watch (G-Watch) programme of the Ateneo School of Government in Manila.