Blockchain pushed as anti-corruption tool amid digitalization drive

In support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s campaign for digital transformation in government, technology expert Jonathan Bocaling of Integra Negra proposed the use of blockchain to combat corruption, following the recent exposure of irregularities in infrastructure projects such as flood control initiatives that have eroded public trust.

Bocaling acknowledged the Marcos administration’s progress in promoting digitalization but noted that trust in government remains fragile.

“Government systems are still scattered and disconnected. Each agency runs its own database, creating gaps, overlaps, and loopholes. Billions of pesos move through these systems every day, but not all of them can be monitored and tracked from end to end,” he said.

To address this, Bocaling suggested adopting blockchain technology, which he described as a “single source of truth” that ensures transparency and prevents data manipulation. “With this technology, data that is entered becomes permanent and verifiable. Trust will no longer depend on people but on proof. This is the kind of system our government, businesses, and people deserve,” he emphasized.

He further proposed the establishment of a “national digital brain” that would securely connect all major government systems under one unified framework to maintain data sovereignty and strengthen institutional reliability.

Bocaling added that fiscal modernization should begin with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to ensure efficient tax collection and proper allocation of public funds. “With blockchain, every transaction—from e-commerce to online advertising—can be taxed automatically in real time. Every transaction is timestamped, encrypted, and stored permanently,” he explained.

He concluded by underscoring the need to align government and industry under a single trusted digital network to foster transparency and integrity. “Data is a national asset, and protecting it is a matter of security. Defending our country is no longer just about land or sea—it is also about protecting our data, systems, and networks,” Bocaling said. TRACY CABRERA