BLOCKCHAIN technology can help strengthen transpa­rency, accountability and financial inclusion in the Phi­lippines, but its effectiveness will still depend on ethical leadership, institutional trust and public participation, speakers said during The Manila Times Blockchain Roundtable held at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City on Tuesday, May 19.

The forum gathered technology leaders, fintech executives, digital governance advocates and cybersecurity stakeholders to discuss how blockchain and distributed ledger technologies can support public accountability and digital transformation. The discussion followed the Philippines’ move to integrate the national budget into a blockchain-based system after public outrage over alleged corruption in flood control projects.