Palace downplays PHL's drop in global anti-corruption rating

Malacañang on Thursday downplayed the Philippines' drop in a global anti-corruption index, saying that the government's efforts through President Benigno Aquino III's programs are taking root.

The Philippines' ranking in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index slipped 10 spots to 95 for 2015, with its score dropping to 35 — its lowest in three years. The index rates countries on how corrupt their public sectors are seen to be. The higher the score, the less corrupt the government is seen.

"What is more important than perception is reality. The reality is that for the past five years, the Philippine government has instituted major reforms that have strengthened the governance structure of our country," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters at a briefing.

The drop breaks the streak of improvement for the country in the CPI. The country's rating in the index has steadily improved since Aquino took office in 2010.

Still, Coloma expressed confidence that the government's efforts are resulting in tangible gains in battling corruption.

"Perceptions are based on various things but we are more concerned about sustaining the reality of a well established framework for good governance," he said.

The secretary highlighted the government's efforts to increase transparency of government institutions.

"We have initiated the heightened public accountability of government agencies through the mandatory requirement that all government agencies must maintain websites that are accessible to the public," he said.

"These websites contain vital information on major decisions made by various departments and agencies of the government. Major procurement transactions as well as how they have spent their budget." —JST, GMA News