By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

During a Logic Network forum yesterday at the Negros First Hostel in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said ending corruption is the best way to maximize the economic potential of the Philippines.
“Corruption siphons our economy [of] billions of pesos we cannot afford to lose,” the governor said. “It leads to the erosion of public trust and integrity, and, with regard to  economic consequence, losses in possible investments and trade.”
“We need not only pursue honesty and integrity but we must also pursue discipline and efficiency,” he added. “Aside from the moral degradation it causes, corruption has a lot to do with unsatisfactory economic performance-making countries poorer and less attractive to investments.”
The forum was attended by more than a hundred participants from across the Visayas region.
Among the speakers were Panay Electric  Company Public Engagement and Government Affairs head Marcelo Cacho, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, and Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin./DGB, WDJ