econ reaction 2

Philippines most corrupt, survey says…

By: Carlos H. Conde

Published: Tuesday, March 13, 2007

ARTICLE:

MANILA- Expatriate businessmen in Asia perceive the Philippines as the most corrupt country in the region, according to a survey released Tuesday. The survey, conducted in January and February, queried 1,476 expatriate executives in 13 countries and territories in Asia. The Philippines scored 9.40, where a score of zero is the least corrupt and 10 is the most corrupt. In 2006 survey, in which Indonesia was regarded as the most corrupt, the Philippines scored 7.80. Indonesia improved its score to 8.30 this year (2007), a development that report credits to a government anti-corruption campaign.

“The Philippines has been getting the least amount of foreign investment, and the level of foreign capital flowing to its stock market is also less than either Indonesia or Thailand,” the report noted. To the question “How effective is the judicial system at prosecuting and punishing individuals for corruption when abuses are uncovered?” the respondents gave the Philippines a score of 9.06, with 10 being “ineffective.” The poll is certain to rile President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has claimed that her government’s efforts against corruption are bearing fruit. Arroyo hired Tony Kwok, an anti-corruption crusader from Hong Kong credited for stamping out corruption in the Chinese territory, as an adviser in 2005.

To the question “To what extent corruption a deterrent to your willingness to invest and expand your business?” the Philippines scored 8.50, with 10 reflecting “a major deterrent.” Local corruption monitors confirms that graft and bribery in the Philippines remain rampant. Corruption has penetrated every level of government, from Bureau of Customs down to the traffic police officers who pull over motorists to demand bribes. Nearly $2 billion dollars, or roughly 13 percent of the Philippines’ annual budget, is lost to corruption in the country each year, according to the United Nations Development Program.

REACTION:

How embarrassing to hear these words coming from foreign economists who conducted the 2007 corruption survey. As a Filipino, I cannot imagine what a disgrace to be held as the most corrupt country. For me it is really dirt in the name of the Republic of the Philippines having associated by this. I as an individual would like to see my own country walk in the flourished aisle of prosperity and peace. But as I look forward to these desires, there are barriers that block the spreading of the wings of my beloved motherland. Philippines in the first place is a very productive land, a land with fertile soil and rich natural spots. But how come that in this very productive country, still it’s in turtle progress? For me, it is now time for the people to check if the problem is within us. It is a basic belief in the Buddhist culture that we must not live according to our selfish desires for us to have true happiness, now this philosophy can be applied in all people’s lives. Philippines reached a new height in the rank of the most corrupt country. It was in 2006 that Indonesia who hit the top most corrupt country followed by the Philippines but in the next year Philippines overtook Indonesia. It really boils my blood to hear and see what a disgrace these corrupt people give to the Philippines even to me as a Filipino. They really got this thick faces to get money out from the people’s share and bribe all they want! I mean in the first place the moneys they get are not theirs: it is intended for the people and what is rightful is give it to the right recipients. In my country Philippines, we are looking forward to raise ourselves out from poverty but how can we get away from this cage if even our own officials stab us at the back? The government officials’ act of corruption leads the anger of people to increase. There are many problems that are planned to happen and of course budget has been allocated. But as I have observed, great is the allocated amount but less it will reach. As I look at the systematic way of corruption in my country, their styles are similar and there is no specific mastermind that the police can point out. And if there is, still they escape the hands of justice simply because they have the money, power (through connections), and the justice parse has no teeth in crashing corruption. “The Philippines has been getting the least foreign direct investment, and the level of foreign capital flowing to its stock market is also less than either Indonesia or Thailand.” Therefore even into this amount of money they must think of the people first. For me as a citizen of my own country, if I was one who were asked “How effective the judicial system prosecuting and punishing individuals for corruption when abuses are uncovered?” I would rate it 9.5, as 10 ids “ineffective” I don’t know if the law has the problem or the people who are in charge of enforcing the law. There are great names who have committed this and some are uncovered. But the irony is they are not put in jail, maybe because of their connections and their money. Whereas if you are a commoner heavier punishment will you receive. Shame to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when she claimed her government efforts against corruption is bearing fruit. The only time I will believe her great lie is when Mike Arroyo is behind bars together with GMA and their company. Our country must increase in business and foreign affairs for us to expand our economy and reach our greatest dream. Major deterrent that compel businessmen to invest in our country is the dirty tag of being corrupt, not just a mere corrupt but the “most corrupt”. If I am a businesswoman of course I won’t easily accept a proposal in investing such great money to a corrupt country. In the first place that this country is in the state of poverty and less money is reaching the people, how can I expand my business if these people can’t afford my product? These kinds of expectations will first come in my mind and cause me to deliberate surely. But truly for me, we need to clean this record and start a better one out of the dirty list. And those dirty conspirators must better start doing good because they keep saying to normal people like me to follow the laws and be a cooperative citizen for the betterment of the country. But then they don’t know how to tame their hands from getting what doesn’t belong to them. Graft and bribery is still rampant even in our present time whether local or even rational. Corruption has penetrated every level of the government, from the bureau of customs down to the traffic police officers who pull over motorist to demand bribes. No wonder Philippines is hailed as the most corrupt because even in the highest position, people are still like illiterate individuals, acting as if all their conscience are gone. These people are not dumb not to hear the people’s cry. What I can’t fathom is the guts of these people to get an amount that is very huge. It gives obvious clues for people to doubt where the money were that are supposed to be for the benefit of nation. What do those people think that Filipinos are idiot not to realize this? Imagine $2 million dollars annually goes to the wrong hands, which can save thousands or eve million families from starving to death day by day. For me is it ironic to see the leader of a country to leave in luxury and great pride but when we look at his or her people that are oppressed, starve and barely living for survival.

The challenge for me is that I a must live my life honestly and truthfully. Even in my daily life I must not engage on things that makes me corrupt even in small things. For me the key to national stability and progress is change of mind set and fear to God. It is now time to stop evil, abolish graft and corruption.