Senator Bam Aquino calls for crackdown on corruption, easing of PH business requirements

Senator Bam Aquino on Friday urged government agencies to crack down on corruption, bribery, and extortion while reducing regulatory burdens that make it more difficult for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to operate and expand.

Aquino made the call during the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship hearing on “Kontra Pahirap sa MSMEs,” which he chairs, where he said government regulations should support businesses instead of becoming obstacles to their survival and growth.

“Nais nating tukuyin ang pinakamagastos, pinakamabigat, at mahihirap na requirement at regulasyon na hinaharap ng mga MSMEs. Mula sa pagsisimula ng negosyo, sa kanilang araw-araw na operasyon, hanggang sa kanilang paglago,” Aquino said.

He said MSMEs are particularly vulnerable to the effects of corruption and extortion because additional payments and other costs can eat into their limited resources.

“Kasama na po rito ang hinaharap ng mga MSME na pangongotong at korapsyon na nakikita nila na pumapatay sa kanilang mga negosyo. Dapat alisin na natin ang korapsyon at hulihin ang mga empleyado na humihingi ng lagay para mapabilis ang proseso,” he added.

Aquino identified the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as among the agencies frequently mentioned in complaints raised by entrepreneurs.

“Iyong mga ahensya po na nandito, kayo po iyong napili namin, BIR, BFP, FDA, because to be frank, marami po sa mga complaints ng mga entrepreneur, sa inyo po rin tinutukoy,” Aquino said.

He said the problems facing MSMEs extend beyond corruption, with entrepreneurs also having to deal with costly, repetitive, and sometimes inappropriate government requirements covering business registration, permits, daily operations, and expansion.

"Sa halip na tulungan silang lumago, marami sa ating maliliit na negosyo ang nauubusan ng oras at puhunan sa pagsunod sa magastos, paulit-ulit, at kung minsan ay hindi angkop na mga requirement ng gobyerno,” he said, noting that nearly 99 percent of registered businesses in the country are MSMEs and that almost two out of every three jobs are linked to the sector.

"Ito ang mga pahirap sa MSMEs—mga proseso at requirement na sa halip na gumabay at magbigay ng proteksyon ay nagiging hadlang sa mga negosyanteng nais lamang kumita nang marangal at sumunod sa batas," he added.

Aquino said regulatory delays and added expenses can have a disproportionate impact on small entrepreneurs compared with larger businesses.

“Pero para sa isang MSME, bawat araw na nauubos sa pila ay isang araw na hindi siya nakapagbukas ng tindahan. Bawat dagdag na bayarin ay maaaring bawas sa puhunan, pangsweldo ng empleyado, o panggastos sa kanilang pamilya,” he stressed.

He called on the BIR, BFP, and FDA to review and simplify their requirements without compromising standards meant to protect public safety, health, tax collection, and consumers.

Aquino also advocated a risk-based regulatory system in which compliance requirements would be calibrated according to a business's size, operational complexity, risk profile, and ability to comply.

He said reforms should enable MSMEs to stay open, expand, generate employment, and progress from micro enterprises to small, medium, and eventually large businesses.

“Tulungan nating manatiling bukas ang mga maliliit na negosyo. Tulungan ho natin silang lumago, lumikha ng mas maraming trabaho, at umangat mula micro patungong small, small patungong medium, medium patungong large hanggang po maabot ang mga pangarap po nila,” he said.

Aquino laid out a five-point agenda upon returning as chairperson of the Senate trade panel, focusing on stronger MSME support, reducing regulatory burdens, developing high-growth industries, creating a farmer and MSME support and voucher program, and strengthening the country's creative economy.

His record on MSME concerns includes the passage of Republic Act No. 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act, in 2014, when he served as principal sponsor and principal author during his first stint as chairperson of the trade committee in the 16th Congress.

The law seeks to improve MSMEs' access to markets and financing, provide training and capacity-building assistance, and make business registration easier for entrepreneurs.

There are now 1,344 Negosyo Centers nationwide, covering about 78 percent of local government units. From 2022 to the first half of 2026, the centers have assisted millions of MSMEs.

-Paraluman News