Reginald Tiu Advocates for Institutional Strengthening as Key to Lasting Good Governance

MANILA, Philippines — Good governance often operates quietly in the background, gaining attention only when its absence leads to scandals or institutional failures. This underlines the vital role governance plays in maintaining public trust and organizational integrity.

Reginald Tiu, a seasoned governance advocate with nearly two decades of experience spanning government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, views governance not as a reactionary effort but as a deliberate process of building resilient frameworks. His career began at the Office of the President and progressed through key leadership roles in major corporations and his current position as regional governance advisor for World Vision International in Asia.

"Governance is the quiet architecture behind successful organizations," Tiu said, emphasizing that weak systems and blurred accountability often undermine promising initiatives. Reflecting on his career, he recounted his start as a legal intern and later employee at the Presidential Management Staff, where he monitored the implementation of presidential directives related to governance. This experience revealed the complexities of balancing political realities and due process in public service.

Tiu identifies distinct governance challenges across sectors. In government, sustaining reforms beyond political terms remains a core issue; in business, governance can be overshadowed by short-term performance pressures; and in nonprofits, resource constraints often limit governance prioritization. "Failures typically result not from bad intentions but from unclear systems and assumed accountability," he noted.

In addition to his professional role, Tiu leads the Good Governance Advocates and Practitioners of the Philippines (GGAPP) as president and chairs the Corporate Governance Standards Committee at the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). Through these platforms, he promotes both practical governance standards and capacity-building initiatives, believing that successful reform requires both robust policies and committed leadership.

Addressing the persistence of corruption and institutional weaknesses, Tiu calls for three urgent measures: normalizing accountability beyond transparency, strengthening ethical leadership at every level, and investing in enduring institutions with clear rules and independent oversight.

For aspiring governance professionals, Tiu advises gaining a deep understanding of organizational operations, building trust through consistent principled action, and maintaining focus on the long-term purpose of governance. "Governance often advances in small steps," he remarked, "but these incremental improvements are essential to protecting institutions and public trust."

Tiu’s insights underscore the necessity of foundational reforms that prioritize systems and leadership, offering a roadmap for sustainable governance improvements across sectors.