kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap

This has been the battlecry of the current administration. Fighting

corruption and poverty has been a priority of the president 1. But how is the
Philippines really coping up with its neighboring countries?
As compared to what was formerly presented, the Philippines has a scattered
scheme when it comes to the laws involved, and a specific agency is not visible
to directly cater the needs of anti-corruption. Like other neighboring countries, it
is found in our constitution that public office is a public trust. Public officers and
employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with
utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and
justice, and lead modest lives.2
A specific law, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act of 1960 3, tallies the
corrupt practices of public officials with the corresponding penalties. There is also
the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, 4
that sets the high standard of ethics for government officers to disclose properly
their statement of assets and liabilities, disclose net worth and financial
connections. In line with other ASEAN countries, the Philippines also has a
government agency catering for corruption crimes, thought they are not directly
and solely for that purpose. The Ombudsman, that acts straightaway on complaints filed in
manner against officers or employees of the Government5, and the Sandiganbayan, which shall have

authority over criminal and civil cases concerning graft and corrupt habits and such other
offenses done by public officers and employees6

1Parreno,Earl.Aquinogovtfarbehindinanticorruptiondrive.(Aug19,2015)PHILIPPINECENTERFORINVESTIGATIVE
JOURNALISM.Availableathttp://www.manilatimes.net/aquinogovtfarbehindinanticorruptiondrive/211114/

2CONST.(1987),artXI,sec.1
3Rep.ActNo.3019(1960)
4Rep.ActNo.6173(1989)
5Rep.ActNo.6770(1989)
6Rep.ActNo.8249(1997)