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Anti-corruption efforts are often equated with finding “incorruptible leaders”. And when these leaders take over, a “halo effect” is expected to take place, often influencing general corruption perceptions (in turn reflected in the CPI). Leaders and public servants with integrity and competence obviously contribute heavily to the change management necessary for both the public and private sectors to reduce corruption. However, structural changes are also (and perhaps more) necessary to transform the entire economic and policy-making environment, and to make many of these gains permanent.

Extensive studies on corruption in various aspects of the economy suggest that corruption thrives in highly opaque environments, often where public sector officials are left with a high degree of discretion to interpret and apply regulations. This is also often compounded by a lack of clarity and coherence across many rules and regulations.

Therefore, reform efforts cannot just go after the corrupt, nor should these be simply premised on appointing incorruptible officials. The more successful reform efforts are often anchored on making sure the policy and bureaucratic environment itself changes, minimizing the very opportunities for corruption itself. Essentially, environments with very little room for corruption are those that also provide better public goods and public services, with minimum human contact and discretion.

This policy forum brings together experts, policymakers and various stakeholders in the anti-corruption effort in Asia and beyond. It offers a unique opportunity to take stock of gains in the fight against corruption, as well as persistent challenges in institutionalizing greater transparency, stronger accountability, and an over-all environment conducive to better public services and lower corruption.

Provisional Programme

08:30-09:00AMRegistration

09:00-09:15AMWelcome Remarks

• Mr. Paul Linnarz, Regional Representative for Economic Policy, Resident Representative for Japan, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

09:15-09:30AMIntroduction to Session 1: Overview on Anti-Corruption Efforts in Europe and Asia

• Prof. Juan Miguel Luz, Dean, AIM Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development

09:30-10:00AMUpdate on the Accomplishments of “Matuwid na Daan” and/or Anti-Corruption Priority Reforms of the Aquino Administration in its Last 800 days

• Hon. Conchita Carpio-Morales, Ombudsman, Republic of the Philippines

10:00-10:30AMCorruption among Firms from a Multilateral and German Perspective

• Dr. Sebastian Paust, Senior Advisor to the Managing Board of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Member of the ADBI Advisory Council

10:30-11:00AMSustaining Anti-Corruption Reforms amidst Political Turmoil

• N.N., Thailand

11:00-11:45AMOpen Forum

• Moderator: Prof. Juan Miguel Luz, Session Chair

11:45AM-12:00NNSession Synthesis

• Dr. Edilberto De Jesus, Professor Emeritus, Asian Institute of Management

12:00-01:15PMLUNCH

01:15-01:30PMIntroduction to Session 2: Information Access, Transparency, and Good Governance

• Ms. Melinda De Jesus, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility

01:30-02:00PMWhy FOI: The Need for Transparency and Accountability in Government

• Hon. Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo, Representative, 3rd District of Camarines Sur

02:00-02:30PMExperiences from implementing India’s Right to Information Law

• Dr. Rajat Kathuria, Director and Chief Executive, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations

02:30-03:00PMExtractive Industries Transparency Initiative

• Dr. Montty Girianna, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia

03:00-03:45PMOpen Forum

• Moderator: Ms. Melinda De Jesus, Session Chair

03:45-04:00PMSession Synthesis

• Dr. Antonio La Viña, Dean, Ateneo School of Government

04:00-04:30PMClosing Remarks

• Dr. Peter Koeppinger, Resident Representative for the Philippines, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung