Corruption in the Philippines

Ask any Filipino whether based here or abroad if they want corruption. Of course no Filipino in his right mind would ever say he or she wants corruption. So then why is the Philippines considered one of the most corrupt countries in Asia? Are we not also the only one of two christian nations in Asia?

Corruption is evil. It deprives the people especially the poor of badly-needed money for services. It drives away investors and it limits the economic growth potential of the country.

Just a while ago, I went to help in the store of my sister. One customer asked if we could change the amount in the receipt. The actual amount is only 108 pesos but she wanted us to write instead 112 pesos. I asked why. She said she needed that 4 extra pesos for her benefit. Thank goodness she told me the truth. But of course this is a form of corruption.

I told my sister about it and she told me that the customer is a teacher! Of course I did not give in to the demand in a nice way so as not to antagonize the "valued customer".

Well this is not to say that teachers are corrupt. There are many teachers who are really honest.

In another instance, the delivery boys asked us if we could get an extra box of snack food for cash. I knew right away that the extra box was taken out of the supplier's warehouse without the owner's knowledge. (Naipuslit nila). If not, the delivery boys could just return it. Why are they selling it for cash and not include them in the purchased items?

My point here is that corruption does not happen only in government offices. It happens everywhere even at home!

"Hindi ako magnanakaw". (I will not steal).

This is the campaign slogan of Noynoy Aquino. Honestly I think this is more of a gimmick to attract voters than a real personal advocacy of good governance. Yet even if we give him the benefit of the doubt, the question is can his relatives say the thing? What about his supprters who are mostly former government officials and former cabinet members of Gloria Arroyo at that?

For Noynoy to promise no corruption when he wins the presidency is surely the hallmark of a traditional politician. It can not be forgotten that during presidency of his mother, the term "Kamag-anak Inc." was very popular to denote the voracity of the members of the powerful Cojuangco-Aquino dynasty.