'Tangential': Leonen says charter change sidesteps corruption's roots
MANILA, Philippines — Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen expressed skepticism over whether charter change would meaningfully address the country’s deep-seated corruption problems.
Speaking at the Ombudsman’s Strategic and Operational Planning in Baguio City on Tuesday, February 10, Leonen described the move as mainly unrelated to the root of the problem.
“At present, the idea of charter change is being floated in response to corruption. However, this is is not the full solution. In fact, for corruption, it is tangential. I say for corruption, charter change is tangential,” Leonen said.
Leonen stressed that regardless of whether charter change pushes through or what form of government the Philippines eventually adopts, the fight against corruption must remain centered on accountability.
“No matter what political system we evolve into, it will always have a criminal justice system,” he said.
Beyond regime change. Leonen said dismantling corrupt practices requires more than revising the Constitution or shifting political systems.
He pointed to a political economy that has historically benefited oligarchs while preserving what he described as only the appearance of a formal liberal democracy.
“Overtime, the alliances between powerful economic interests and the influential political families or dynasties that dominate our government may have become more evident,” Leonen said.
“Patronage politics is also pervasive, further entrenching the privileging of connections over merit,” he added, arguing that these systemic arrangements are the roots that must be addressed.
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