CORRUPTION IN THE GOVERNMENT

Corruption, they say, is part of the Filipino culture. Lately it has been the most discussed issue when one survey indicated the Philippines as the most corrupt government. Does this mean all Filipinos are corrupt? I guess not. What was reported in the survey were more visible corrupt practices done by few people but affected many. These few people are the ones who run the government or its agencies and this is to include the people who had the political power to influence or even induce corruption.

Overpricing is the most common form of corruption. Just recently, the preparations done for the 12th ASEAN Summit were discovered to have been marred by corruption. According to reports, this was done with the knowledge and even participation by some ranking politicians and some government agency heads. These people knew that corruption in any form is bad. So, what prompted them to do it? Were they pressured by a more corrupt mind or by a situation so hard to cope with?

But corruption can be stopped. There are more Filipinos who have a good set of values. There are more Filipinos whose consciences are not elastic. Most of all, the law must be put into action. They must be imposed on people who made violations most especially if they are holding key positions in the government. Often we heard of corrupt politicians but our laws seem to have little effect on them. Is this maybe because our justice system is also marred by corruption? We do not know for sure but it is evident that in our country it is seldom heard that one politician was imprisoned due to corruption. If men of values were placed, corruption would be eradicated but it would take a long way. A special body was formed supposedly to curb and solve corruption but was too slow to act on certain individuals and sometimes fast on others. This indicates another form corruption.

Values education is important. All persons earmarked to handle key positions should undergo a training program which enhances ones values and has to be evaluated. The law must be tougher on politicians most especially that they are the ones who have great influence on the masses. And the masses are those who vote for those who would take responsibility over and serve the people. If people get easily swayed by the sweet tongues of our candidates, the future of the Philippines is in peril.

The current state of the economy is a result of the corruption and lies the government politicians inflict. As voters, it is your responsibility to vote wisely and guard these corrupt officials and prevent them them from taking seat in the government ever again. ##