Pampanga Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (PamCham), the business chamber dedicated to fostering a transparent and fair business environment, wishes to address the recent reports concerning the alleged extortion activities involving a municipal Mayor of a town in Pampanga. It has come to our attention from various media outlets that the Mayor was caught in the act of accepting a bribe amounting to ₱30 million from a business locator in exchange for alleged favorable treatment. This amount is part of a supposedly disturbing total of ₱80 million reportedly demanded.
We at PamCham stand firmly against corruption in all its forms. It is deeply disheartening to witness the alleged extortion of legitimate businesses, which undermines the integrity of our economic landscape and discourages investment. The visibility of such acts of corruption not only tarnishes the image of our local government but also threatens the trust and confidence that businesses must have to thrive in our communities.
However, in light of these events, we commend the individual who made the decision and courage to challenge this overwhelming cycle of impunity. Their bold actions exemplify the kind of integrity and resolve needed to combat unethical practices that often plague the relationship between local governments and private enterprises. It is through such bravery that we can aspire to foster an environment conducive to fair business practices, accountability, and transparency.
On the other hand, PamCham calls for sobriety and faith in our investigative process looking into these serious allegations. We believe that collaboration between local businesses and government is essential for mutual progress, and such relationships must be founded on trust and ethical conduct.
As we navigate this challenging situation, we pledge our unwavering support to the businesses that are affected by these incidents and can only commiserate with those allegedly involved for they might just be victims as well of a dysfunctional system that is left unchecked.
Together, we can still work towards eradicating corruption and ensuring a brighter economic future for all.
