Good afternoon to my fellow public servants, open government advocates, reformers, and stakeholders, most especially to the graduates of the POGCHAMPS or the Philippine Open Government Youth Champions present today.

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Allow me to thank the La Salle Institute of Governance or the LSIG led by Dr. Ador Torneo, the National Democratic Institute, the Galing Pook Foundation, and the National Youth Commission for the privilege to speak here today as you culminate and celebrate the success of your capacity development activity.