On February 6, 2026, the UP School of Economics (UPSE), the Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED), and the UPSE Program in Development Economics Alumni Association (UPSE-PDEAA) hosted the 4th Ruperto P. Alonzo Memorial Lecture at the UPSE E. Gokongwei Lecture Room. Serving as the flagship project of the alumni association, this annual lecture series honors the late Professor Alonzo’s lifelong commitment to good governance. Moderated by UPSE Assistant Professor Dr. JC Punongbayan, the forum centered on the timely theme, “Protecting Fiscal Integrity: Fighting Corruption in Public Finance,” and opened with remarks from the association’s xx session convenor, Mr. Ramon Bacani.

The featured presenter was Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Secretary Rolando U. Toledo, who brought nearly four decades of fiscal strategy experience to the discussion. His presentation was followed by supplementary perspectives from two distinguished discussants: Dr. Romulo E. M. Miral Jr., Deputy Secretary General of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, and Dr. Cielo Magno, UPSE Professor and former Department of Finance Undersecretary.

The presentations catalyzed a spirited open forum, sparking a discourse among the panelists and the audience regarding systemic corruption and the mechanisms needed for genuine institutional transparency. Following the debate, the event concluded with a closing address by Mrs. Amelia Zorayda “Mel” Alonzo, a prominent public servant and the wife of the late professor.