This week’s post feels different—more urgent, more personal.
As a Filipino by birth who grew up in the United States, I’ve spent the last decades watching my homeland with a mix of love, frustration, and hope. Now, having just retired from 21 years of honorable service in the U.S. military, I’ve found myself confronting a painful reality that I want to address. The Philippines is a beautiful nation with over 7,000 islands. It is filled with potential. However, it is held back by one of the world’s most persistent threats: corruption.
To be clear, corruption in the Philippines isn’t a worst-kept secret—it’s reflected in the data. In the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, the country scored just 33 out of 100. They ranked 114th out of 180 countries. This score is well below both global (average 43) and Asia-Pacific averages (44) Transparency.org PIDS.
I believe deeply in service, sacrifice, and the power of leadership grounded in integrity. And I am tired of watching the rich get richer while the most vulnerable continue to suffer. I’ve realized it’s time to use the resources and tools I’ve learned through my leadership experience. I’m using my IMPACT Leadership Framework to confront this crisis. Starting with the small, everyday acts that shape our character and, ultimately, a nation.
This isn’t just another leadership article. It’s a call to action. Because real change doesn’t start at the top; it starts with the simple choices we make, day after day. And that’s exactly what we’re talking about in this blog.
I carry two homes in my heart. I’ve seen opportunity and systems that, while not perfect, allow growth and accountability. Yet I’ve also seen the heartbreaking reality of my motherland. It is a nation with breathtaking potential. It has resilient people and a culture of deep faith. However, it is struggling under the weight of corruption.
The Problem
Corruption isn’t just something you read in headlines. It’s something people in the Philippines feel. This is especially true in times of disaster, like typhoons and floods. Help doesn’t always reach those who need it most.
The question is: where does change really begin?
We often imagine corruption as something “big” like stolen millions, political scandals, rigged elections. But corruption rarely starts at the top.
It grows quietly—through small compromises that seem harmless:
- Taking home office supplies that aren’t yours.
- Asking a coworker to clock you in when you’re late.
- Signing documents without truly reading them.
- Approving payments you didn’t validate.
- Serving only when there’s a personal gain attached.
These small cracks in integrity eventually erode trust and create a culture where compromise feels normal. And when compromise becomes the norm, corruption flourishes.
A Solution
Lasting transformation isn’t about one leader or party. It’s about the collective integrity of people who refuse shortcuts.
This is where intentional leadership matters. My IMPACT Leadership Framework was built for moments exactly like this.
Let’s apply a few of my 8 Pillars here:
- Pillar PRIORITIZE (Decision Filter Framework): Before every choice, ask: Does this align with my values or does it compromise them?
- Pillar REALIZE (REAL Reflection Cycle): Recognize where you’ve allowed small compromises. Evaluate their impact. Adjust your behavior. Launch into a new standard.
- Pillar SYNERGIZE (RELATE Framework): Build trust by modeling integrity. Reveal your true intentions. Listen to others. Align your actions with your words. Elevate those around you.
Change doesn’t begin in palaces or boardrooms, it begins in the small daily decisions of citizens, parents, leaders, and communities.
Personal Connection
I’ll be honest—growing up between two worlds gave me perspective. In the U.S., I had opportunities to lead, learn, and grow. But my heart still beats for the Philippines. I care deeply for the people who are often the most hurt when leaders choose corruption over service.
That’s why this isn’t just a political conversation for me. It’s a deeply personal one. Because when corruption steals from our people, it doesn’t just rob resources—it robs futures, dreams, and dignity.
But here’s the challenge: corruption feels too big to fight. You may be thinking, What difference can I make if the system is already broken?
The truth is: light shines brightest in the darkest places. You don’t need to change the whole nation overnight. You just need to live with uncompromising integrity right where you are.
Call to Action
If you’re reading this, my challenge to you is this: start small, but start today.
Ask yourself:
- Where am I compromising integrity?
- Where can I set a higher standard of honesty and accountability?
- How can I model integrity so others follow?
This is what intentional leaders do—we create impact by aligning our choices with our values.
If you want practical tools to lead with clarity, alignment, and integrity; grab my free guide: The Intentional Leader Roadmap. It will help you live and lead with purpose, whether you’re leading a company, a team, or your own family.
Closing
Leaders, choose integrity in the small things. When we do, we not only change ourselves. We also change our families, our teams, and our communities. Yes, we can even contribute to the change of our nation.
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