Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen called for immediate and meaningful reforms in government institutions to effectively combat corruption in the Philippines.

Speaking at the Strategic and Operational Planning event of the Office of the Ombudsman held at CAP-John Hay Trade and Culture Center, Leonen stressed that corruption has long hindered the nation’s development. He warned that temporary fixes are insufficient and urged addressing root causes such as patronage politics, regulatory capture, and close business-government ties that erode public trust.

Leonen also reminded the public that the judiciary and the Ombudsman bear the responsibility of pursuing long-term reforms free from political influence. Highlighting the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, he cited initiatives like eCourt PH, which digitizes court processes to speed up case resolution, emphasizing that technology should serve justice, not become an end in itself.

The justice concluded by urging public servants to uphold integrity and courage in fulfilling their duties, reinforcing the message that sustained institutional reform is crucial to uproot corruption.