The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today called on accounting professionals to take a stand against corruption and play a central role in building a Bagong Pilipinas grounded in clean and accountable governance.

Speaking during an event of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) in Tagaytay City, DILG Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communications Rolando C. Puno, representing Secretary Jonvic Remulla, emphasized the crucial role accountants play in detecting fraud and upholding public trust.

He challenged the accounting profession to take its place at the forefront of reform and accountability, noting that accountants are often the first to notice when irregularities arise.“Accountants are not just number-crunchers… your name and your integrity are at stake.”he said.

The DILG Official also stressed that reform must include fixing systems, audits, and disbursement processes.“Your work may be technical, but the consequences are social and political. A bad audit can green-light a scam. A good accountant can stop it before it begins,”he said.

Calling on the incoming PICPA leaders to uphold the highest ethical standards, Puno urged them to become champions of accountability.“Be the kind of leaders who make it easier to do the right thing… Be the reason a ghost project is exposed. Be the reason false reports are stopped. Be the one who says: ‘Hindi ako papayag dito,’”he declared.

Concluding his remarks, he urged PICPA to support the Marcos administration in helping deliver the promise of a Bagong Pilipinas that is honest, efficient, and well-governed.“We do not need thousands to change the system. We only need a few people in the right place, at the right time, with the courage to act. PICPA, you are in that place. We count on you,”he said.

The event marked both a celebration of professional achievement and a solemn reminder that integrity in accounting is not just a professional obligation, but a national imperative.

Original Article At: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Calls-on-Accountants-to-Uphold-Integrity-in-Their-Profession-Stand-Against-Corruption/NC-2025-1175