A National Transformation Initiative

By Dr. Jess Estanislao

For many years, I have listened to Filipinos talk about corruption and the deep problems our country faces. After hearing these concerns again and again, I decided that it was time to act more directly—to push a governance advocacy at the national level.

I have long believed that the best way to fight corruption is good governance. Two basic principles guide this belief:

First, real governance reform must start from the top.
Second, real transformation must involve ordinary citizens.

At the national level, this means two things:
the President must lead, and the people must participate.

Following this belief, I wrote to the President of the Philippines and asked him to lead the country out of the corruption crisis through a national governance program. I suggested that this program be anchored on our four core national values: maka-Diyos, maka-Tao, maka-Kalikasan, and maka-Bansa. I also proposed that the discipline of governance be applied across government and that clear results be delivered by mid-2028.

The letter was formally received—but nothing happened. There was no response.

Because national leadership from the top did not materialize, an alternative path became necessary.

I then asked three institutions that I helped build over the years—the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), and the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA)—to take the first step. Together, they would publish my paper “A Way Out of Our Crisis”on their websites. This marks the beginning of a citizens-led national transformation initiative.

More materials will follow. These will call on:

• individual Filipinos to live our national values in daily life and work, and
• institutions to support individuals and to transform themselves into strong, values-driven organizations.

Beyond general calls, we must also listen to fellow citizens who have shown real commitment to the common good. These individuals and institutions can give practical guidance on how to shape Filipino character and strengthen institutions. For this reason, I am proposing the creation of multi-sector governance councils (MSGCs) within governance-oriented institutions.

Each institution that forms an MSGC can act on its own initiative. It does not need to wait for instructions from the national government. This follows the principle of subsidiarity—doing what we can at our own level—while remaining connected to others through solidarity.

Individuals and institutions must always keep the common good in mind. Our shared goals are clear:
to reduce corruption,
to lift people out of poverty, and
to raise economic growth in a way that benefits all.

These problems cannot be solved by isolated efforts. They require coordination, cooperation, and long-term commitment. Solidarity networks can help share lessons, track progress, and keep the nation focused on key priorities.

In the absence of strong leadership from government, these networks must help monitor the country’s progress and assess whether we are moving toward our goals. Regular reviews, shared learning, and timely adjustments will be necessary.

If we do this well—working together over the next two decades—we can move steadily toward Dream Philippines, with 2046, the centennial of our independence, as our shared target.

This is how we can leave a better country for the next generation of Filipinos.