Chapter 6: Restoring Trust and Building Integrity in Government: Issues, Concerns and Reform in the Philippines

More than at any other point in time, what the country needs is an opportunity to trust its public institutions…

—Roman, President University of the Philippines 2009

Responsive governance is key to the restoration of trust in government. It is within this context that reforms on public administration are imperative to bring about responsive governance and to restore trust in government. In a government blemished with corruption, inefficiency, and ineffectiveness, restoring trust is primordial. Poor public perception towards government is a challenge, and restoring people’s trust is an equally important concern. Trust is upheld when a public official is brought to office or power through a democratic process such as election. But, the more important challenge is how to sustain public trust once that public official already holds the power.