TWAIN ASHLEY A.

DEL ROSARIO 11-OPTIMISTIC

“Corruption Is Still A Big Problem In The Philippines”

INTRODUCTION

The term corruption has evaded an all encompassing definition. The reason is

not far fetched. The term has no static or fixed meaning. It develops with time.

Some definitions offered in yester years do not match-up with series of modern day

practices. As time develops and human affairs and governance become more

sophisticated so also man continues to device means to cut corners and enrich

himself at the expense of the public good.

Corruption is commonly defined as a form of dishonesty or criminal offense

undertaken by a person or organization entrusted with a position of authority, to

acquire illicit benefit or abuse power for one's private gain. Corruption may

include many activities including bribery and embezzlement, though it may also

involve practices that are legal in many countries.(

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption)

Corruption is a serious obstacle to the social and economic development of a

country. The biggest losers are the Filipino people. In effect, the end-users are

made to pay for overpriced goods or services or are made to deal with low-quality or

substandard goods or services.

Foreigners and citizens alike say that the Philippines has the most corrupt

leadership and economy. Corruption in the Philippines has become "a humanitarian
 TWAIN ASHLEY A. DEL ROSARIO 11-OPTIMISTIC

crisis" and scandals increasingly seem to dominate the news.

The government until today is still corrupted because of politicians and

persons in authority that forget their responsibility to the nation to satisfy their

personal interests. That is why we also have debts in the World Bank because of

them. It is pitiful to see educated Filipinos that don’t do what they have said

during their campaigns.

In modern times, vices are common in the Philippines like playing cards,

mahjong, smoking cigarettes, drinking day or night even if there are no occasions,

and betting on a cockfight. Some politicians depend on these leisures instead doing

their job but their chances always leads into nothing.

Corruption is the gravest threat to Philippine democracy and society today.

DISCUSSIONS

According to a World Bank study in 2008, corruption in the Philippines is

considered to be the worst among East Asia’s leading economies and the country has

sunk even lower among those seen to be lagging in governance reforms. The 2009

Corruption Perceptions Index published by global watchdog Transparency

International, showed that the situation in the country had improved slightly but

still remained serious. The Philippines ranked 3rd among 180 countries included in

the index, up from its previous 141st ranking in 2008. The nation scored 2.4 in the

TI index, compared to 2.3 in 2008, which ranked it equal to Pakistan, Bangladesh and

the Baltic state of Belarus. Corruption exists in all levels of the government,

especially among high-level civil servants, according to the US Department of State

Investment Climate Statement 2013. Companies generally have little confidence in the

Philippine judicial system, and this is due to the allegedly incompetent court

personnel, corruption and long delays of court cases.

Corruption in the government involves three broad layers. First is corruption

 TWAIN ASHLEY A. DEL ROSARIO 11-OPTIMISTIC

within the broader political system. This includes the demands of electoral

politics, the extensive use of patronage in political appointments, and the

existence use of “pork barrel” funds. Second, is corruption within the public

sector, which is usually focused on three major problems: spotty performance of

mechanisms for identifying and sanctioning employees engaged in corrupt and illicit

behavior, considerations of pay and employment, and government procurement. Third is

corruption within specific agencies, which involves grand corruption (involving

widespread syndicates and millions of pesos); and petty corruption (which involves

smaller amounts of money, such as grease money to facilitate the delivery of goods

and services. (Primer on Corruption: 2005). Certain types of corruption may not

necessarily involve money. It may involve gift giving or influence-peddling. It can

also come in the form of future benefits. With this type of corruption, the boundary

between a corrupt and a non-corrupt behavior becomes quite thin. Take for instance

the act of giving a gift to a public official as a token of appreciation for

services done. In some cultures, this may be ethically condoned. Laws and

definitions of corruption, in this regard, become culturally bound. In the

Philippines, Presidential Decree 46 (1972) prohibited gift giving to public

officials and employees. Despite this law, however, gift giving is still practiced

as this habit has been imbedded in social norms.

The Philippines is widely held to be the oldest democracy in Asia. Democratic

institutions such as separation of powers, judicial independence, and rule of law

had good foundations, but were eroded by a personalistic political system and

ambiguous policies in the past which allowed too much discretion given to government

officials in dispensing resources and services. This discretionary power, in a

context of brittle accountability, supplied the basic incentives for corruption. The

martial law years further weakened institutions in both national and local

governments, undermining accountability, and resulting to rampant rent-seeking

activities by exploiting government rules and resources. According to a World Bank

 TWAIN ASHLEY A. DEL ROSARIO 11-OPTIMISTIC

study in 2008, corruption in the Philippines is considered to be the worst among

East Asia’s leading economies and the country has sunk even lower among those seen

to be lagging in governance reforms. The 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index published

by global watchdog Transparency International, showed that the situation in the

country had improved slightly but still remained serious. The Philippines ranked

3rd among 180 countries included in the index, up from its previous 141st ranking in

2008. The nation scored 2.4 in the TI index, compared to 2.3 in 2008, which ranked

it equal to Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Baltic state of Belarus. Corruption exists

in all levels of the government, especially among high-level civil servants,

according to the US Department of State Investment Climate Statement 2013. Companies

generally have little confidence in the Philippine judicial system, and this is due

to the allegedly incompetent court personnel, corruption and long delays of court

cases.

Corruption also affects the daily lives of the Filipinos. As much as many

Filipinos depend on luck, it is triggered by their low-lifestyle favors and bad

living conditions. People use drugs and perform crimes as their escape to poverty.

It contributes to the high crime rate throughout the world.

We should improve coordination between the involved agencies and key

stakeholders as this will improve efficiency between them.

We should improve poverty targeting, monitoring and evaluation. There should

also be increased funds for data collection, processing and management. This will

help us learn more about Corruption and help us fight more for it. Studying

corruption will give us a better chance of avoiding it.

It is said that we should address corruption specifically per area. So that

each place receives the care it needs. Each place is different and treating each

place special may allow us to get rid of corruption more easily by going to the

cause of poverty in those places.

 TWAIN ASHLEY A. DEL ROSARIO 11-OPTIMISTIC

The resources of the local government should be enhanced and their

coordination with the national government should be improved. This will allow them

to be able to work better and help more in poverty.

The government should increase available resources for social services,

poverty reduction, and infrastructure. They should also maintain price stability to

shield the poor from high food prices and they should lessen corruption and develop

infrastructure in order to boost investor confidence. This will enable more money to

go into the country while the poor are being shielded from high prices. Giving more

money and allowing more money into the country will allow the poor to get more help,

and the boost in the economy will give them jobs as well.

CONCLUSION

Philippines is a country endowed with numerous resources. We have been

destined to live in affluence but for the scourge of corruption which has penetrated

into every nook and cranny of the state. The worst of men are the one appointed by

the people to govern them. They use the resources of the nation to build mansions

for themselves and their immediate family; chase young ladies here and there and to

do all immoral things. In the bid to stamp out corruption, the anti-graft agencies

has suddenly celebrated which could not but further encourage aspiring public office

holders of the leniency and defects in the criminal justice system. Some say the

work load in our courts is the problem. If this is true, then it is recommended that

specialized courts be created specifically to fight corruption. This has been done

to investment disputes with the creation of Investment and Securities Tribunal

(IST). This is yielding result. Investment cases are now disposed within a very

short period of time. If we have such specialized court to administer corruption

cases only, the idea of caseloads will become a forgotten issue.

 TWAIN ASHLEY A. DEL ROSARIO 11-OPTIMISTIC

Solution to suppress corruption doesn’t show immediate result. It depends on

the people below to educate and be aware of their actions if they want to have an

abundant life and escape corruption. So, let’s fight corruption as one for the

brighter future of our country, the Philippines.