Repeated corruption risks undermining Philippines' post-COVID recovery

State losses include funds for investing in flood-control infrastructure

The Philippines is facing a deepening graft probe into diversion of state funds meant for flood control infrastructure into fake or sub-standard projects.

I argue in this piece for Nikkei Asia that the authorities need to be mindful of the costs of the crackdown, that could entail significant human, social and economic losses by further delaying climate adaptation in one of the world’s most disaster prone countries. A credible, time-bound clean-up is required to tackle corruption without suffocating growth.

Please click here to read the full piece on Nikkei Asia’s website.