Two poor robbers caught on CCTV stealing from a computer shop were apprehended in a follow up operation and immediately jailed while contractors, Department of Public Works and Highways, and other public officials who are implicated in the flood control mess are not, despite a photo taken showing stacks of cash inside a DPWH office, meant to be divided among them. Those who are involved in the scandal even threaten to file cases against those who accuse them of the corruption. It is a proof that we have two standards of justice in this country. It is critical, however, to look into the political, cultural, and ethical dimension of the problem.
The Philippines scored a measly 33/100 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. It is important to know that this is about the perception of stakeholders, not the actual extent nor proof of the presence of corruption in the public sector. A low score is an indication of a lack of trust in the system, which means that people believe that corruption is rampant in the government. This is of course a result of the inefficient delivery of public services, a lack of improvement in public infrastructure, poor institutions that do not respond to the high expectations of people, and the lavish lifestyle of the parties involved which they even flaunt on social media.
But why are developed countries less corrupt compared to countries such as the Philippines? The reasons cited include a highly effective public administration system. This means that ethical practices are observed. The people’s high standard of living means that they do not need any padrino (patronage) type of connection with government officials, who have the power to make decisions. It is important to understand that this patronage system was imposed by our colonizers. The Spanish authorities bribed local chieftains for them to easily control the people, who apparently depend on their leaders for economic survival. The same system is enforced in post-colonial Philippines. Our colonizers are gone, but their legacy has remained. It is being practiced proudly by corrupt politicians.
Politics plays a sinister role in Philippine society. For instance, while people seek the truth and policies try to provide the legal mechanisms, political motives persist. The investigation in the house is trying hard to link to the former admin the issue when in fact it is becoming obvious who is involved in this scandal. These contractors have become dispensable instruments by the masterminds in the DPWH who are in cahoots with congressmen who did all the budget insertions even after the bicameral conference deliberations. If an answer is really desired with regard to the massive anomaly in these flood control projects, then it is necessary to dig deeper into the root cause.
A strong, fair, and effective oversight is necessary to fight corruption. Apparently, the public officials involved in ghost flood control projects are well-connected. They are liars too, if one is able to follow their narrative while being investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. But if the answers must be found, then the commission formed by Malacanang should investigate all who have a probable involvement, beginning with public officials in Congress who are responsible for the budget insertions. The creation of the commission, which has tapped the services of Mayor Banjamin Magalong and former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, is a good move, but it will not be able to fully serve its mandate if it will spare some personalities. The commission should scrutinize everything, not only the papers from the DPWH and the private contractors, but records as well that show the anomalous budgetary insertions as revealed by Rep. Isidro Ungab and Rep. Toby Tiangco.
Corruption is a cultural issue. We do not have a strong ethical standard against bribery and the corrupt practices in government offices. Some people are even proud of their connections in government. As a behavior, corruption is unacceptable, but the “powers that be” control a large part of our public sector, including the poor electorate, who are forced to elect corrupt public officials because they have become overly dependent on them when it comes to the delivery of basic services.
