EDITORIAL - Reversing a slowdownEconomic growth skidded to 4.4 percent in 2025, well below the government’s target of 5.5 to 6.5 percent. Balisacan admitted that the corruption scandal involving flood control and other infrastructure projects contributed to the economic slowdown along with extreme weather disturbances, aside from economic headwinds overseas. Corruption scandals rock other countries, with minimal or no impact on their economies and business confidence. These are not seen in the Philippines, where there has been a long string of major corruption scandals, with the big fish all getting away. The best way to reverse the economic slowdown and achieve government targets is to show the world that those behind the corruption scandal are identified, prosecuted swiftly and punished, particularly the big fish.

Source: Philippine Star January 29, 2026 16:52 UTC