Breaking the Cycle: How Business Owners Can Fight Corruption and Lead with Integrity
By Eloiza Mariano Serate
There I was, surrounded by a room full of accomplished founders who had broken ceilings and reached levels of success I could only dream of. The energy in the room was infectious, and I felt inspired by their stories and achievements.
As I made my rounds, engaging in conversation after conversation, there was one piece of advice I kept hearing over and over again: “Don’t declare all your revenue, don’t pay your taxes in full, and keep your yearly income just below the 3-million mark.”
It wasn’t just one person saying it. It was the same advice from almost every founder I spoke to. Each time, it left me with a heavy heart. I couldn’t help but wonder — how had this become the norm?
At first glance, this might seem like just practical advice for managing finances, but it’s more than that — it’s a reflection of the systemic issue we face in the Philippines, where corruption and dishonesty are so deeply ingrained in both the public and private sectors. And while I understand the temptation, I can’t help but feel uncomfortable with the normalization of these practices.
Many of us talk about how politicians and government officials live lavish lifestyles on the backs of the common people. We express outrage when we see corruption in government, and demand honest leadership and accountability.
But here’s the thing — if we’re really serious about change, we need to start looking at ourselves as business owners, too. We don’t have to be politicians to practice good governance. We don’t have to hold public office to lead with integrity.
The Practice of Paying Taxes in Full: A Form of Good Leadership
To me, paying taxes in full is an act of honesty, responsibility, and leadership. If we as business owners choose to evade taxes or underdeclare our income, we’re perpetuating the very culture of corruption we so strongly criticize. To take money that isn’t yours — that belongs to the people — is, in my eyes, stealing. It’s a form of corruption, no matter how small the amount is.
Many business owners justify their actions by saying that the system is flawed or that everyone else is doing it. But when we do this, we’re perpetuating the system. We’re complicit in the very practices that lead to the widespread distrust in government.
Good Governance Starts With Us
It’s easy to demand accountability from our politicians and leaders, but we must ask ourselves: are we doing everything we can to lead with integrity? As entrepreneurs, we have the power to influence the culture in our businesses and communities.
By paying taxes in full and doing business honestly, we set a standard for our employees, our partners, and our clients.
If we can’t rise to the occasion in the smaller moments, how can we demand better from our leaders in times of national crises? If we allow ourselves to be tempted by the small things, like tax evasion, how can we ever claim to be better than the politicians we criticize for their corruption?
The Bigger Picture: Building a Culture of Integrity
This issue goes beyond individual decisions — it’s about the culture we are collectively building. If we want to see change in the Philippines, we need to start within ourselves. We need to stop accepting dishonest practices as the norm and instead choose to lead with honesty, transparency, and integrity. It won’t be easy, but this is how we begin to correct the systemic issues that have plagued us for generations.
In the end, it’s not about how much money we make or how much we think we can “get away with.” It’s about being able to sleep at night, knowing we’ve done the right thing. So, I choose to pay my taxes in full because I believe in good governance — whether it’s in government or in business.
Challenging the Status Quo: A Call for Lasting Change
The status quo has long dictated the way things are done, especially in the business world. It’s almost as if tax evasion, underdeclaring income, and unethical leadership are just part of the game. It’s a norm that many of us have accepted as the way to survive, but I refuse to accept it.
One day, I dream of seeing a leader like Vico Sotto as president of the Philippines, a person who embodies integrity and transparency, who leads with empathy and the courage to enact real, lasting change.
But here’s the thing: That kind of leadership won’t happen overnight. It’s a vision that could take years, and by the time it becomes a reality, I’d be 50 or 60 years old. The thought of waiting that long is daunting, but it also fuels my urgency to take action now.
We need to start building a legacy of integrity. A world where future business owners and leaders no longer feel tempted by shortcuts and corruption. A world where the next generation grows up knowing that honesty, accountability, and good governance are the foundations of true leadership.
We need lasting change. Not just for the Philippines today, but for the country that will be handed down to our children and grandchildren. It starts with us. It starts with refusing to accept the norm. We must lead by example, take the high road, and build a future where integrity is the standard, not the exception.
Want to build a business that thrives with integrity? At Virtual Champions PH, we help founders lead with clarity, structure, and systems that align with honest, sustainable growth.
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