The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) recently signed the Integrity Pledge.

Witnessed by PRSP members and guests, PRSP president Butch Raquel signed the Integrity Pledge in their first general membership meeting for the year last 25 March.

The PRSP now joins over 500 other companies and associations who have taken the cause of integrity. 

In signing the Integrity Pledge, PRSP became part of the Integrity Initiative, which seeks to promote transparency and ethics in business.

Those in the Integrity Initiative are committed to fight corruption and fraud through collective action, education and training.

The Integrity Initiative is a joint effort of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Asian Institute of Management, and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

To prove its commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity in its industry, PRSP has adopted the theme "PR in a Transparent World The Role ofTrust and Integrity in Public Relations" for the 18th National Congress scheduled on September 22 to 23 at the Manila Intercontinental Hotel.

This year's Congress chair Junie del Mundo said the PR industry suffers from a perception problem.

"People think PR is paid propaganda."

Del Mundo said that through the PR Congress, the industry "will send a strong message that we stand for truth and that we are ready to answer the call of government and the private sector for increased transparency and ethics in business.  We will push for a more vigilant stance against unethical practices that continue to hold back the PR industry from international standards of integrity and elevate the discourse on PR and trust."

Speaking at this year's congress will be Bob Grove, managing director of Edelman Southeast Asia.  He will headline the first plenary talk entitled "Trust and the Global PR Industry: Trends, Learning and Insights", where he will share the accumulated insights of the Edelman Trust Barometer, now on its 10th year.

As the premier gathering of the nation's top communications professionals, the annual National PR Congress serves as a key venue for building relationships and networks, as well as exchanging insights and views about issues that are crucial for the country's top industries.

This year's theme promises to cut across industries, companies, and even business functions.

PRSP is the country's premier organization for public relations professionals.  In its roster are practitioners who represent business and industry government, non-profit organizations, hospitals, schools, hotels and professional services among others.

PRSP is a non-stock, non-profit organization established on 19 February 1957 by leading PR practitioners in the country.  The Society's mission is to advance the practice of public relations by uniting those engaged in the profession; encouraging continuing education of practitioners; generating public confidence in the profession by promoting high ethical practice and encouraging high standards of public service; playing the active role in all matters affecting the practice of public relations; and strengthening the relationships of public relations professionals with various stakeholders.

Source: Malaya; Business; 08 April 2011