Amid the flood control scandal exposing vulnerabilities in the Philippine national budget, Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug will interview former budget secretary Florencio 'Butch' Abad on reforms to restore integrity.
The interview is set for Friday, January 16, at 6 p.m. Vitug and Abad will explore reforms needed to restore integrity to the budget process, which has been plagued by schemes and questionable practices highlighted in recent reports.
Abad served as secretary of the Department of Budget and Management under President Benigno Aquino III from 2010 to 2016. He also represented Batanes as its lone district congressman.
This discussion is part of Rappler's 'World View' series, focusing on global and local issues relevant to the Philippines. It comes at a timely moment amid the flood control scandal that has dominated headlines over the past year, laying bare the national budget's susceptibility to corruption.
The session can be watched on Rappler.com, providing context on challenges in government fund management.
