Why does corruption seem endemic to the political setting in the Philippines?

We haven’t done anything about it

Benedict Jon delos Santos, SFDM, Quezon City: Corruption is part of the Filipino culture. Everything seems to be a continuation of the past. Dr. Rizal’s novels mirrored the evils of society, particularly corruption in government. We’ve known it from the start, but we haven’t done anything about it.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: Corruption is endemic because it has become the rule, not the exception, in every bureau of government. It’s an established practice where officials are used to transacting business with SOP, like expecting lagay, grease money, commission, overpricing, and other shady deals. This is a chronic condition that will pervade every administration unless our leaders initiate radical change for good governance.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: Corruption seems to be endemic to the political setting in the Philippines because we have been tolerant.

P.L. Cruz, Quezon City: It is because we tolerate it. If we benefit from it, we don’t question or criticize it. We raise hell only when we don’t benefit. Hypocrites.

Charlie Benzon, Cotabato City: Corruption is now a contagious disease among our politicians due to the tolerance of the electorate.

Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City: Elementary, my dear Watson; it is because we allow it.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: People seem to have become resigned and turned callous to it. Blame our system for being selective and hesitant in resolving corruption cases of the high and mighty.

Corruption exists all over the world

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: Corruption always exists in any part of the world.  It is only in the Philippines that issues on corruption are sensationalized and given widespread coverage in our media and has become a form of “entertainment” among many Filipinos. More issues on corruption are bound to surface as the elections draw near.

Loi Castillo, Davao City: Corruption exists in any part of the world. Unfortunately, tayo kasing mga Pinoy, ayaw magpatalo sa lahat ng bagay. Kung may corruption sa ibang bansa, gusto rin natin na tayo ang bida.

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: Corruption is endemic not only in the Philippines but all over the world so much so that it magnetizes people to become corrupt.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Corruption is embedded not only in politics but also in our very nature. It was seemingly nourished in us since our infancy by our parents unknowingly due to poverty and lack of proper education. Authorities in social sciences, education, child care and in moral and spiritual development must find out solutions of controlling this social stigma. It is getting worse.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Corruption is indeed endemic in our political setting as it is anywhere in the world. Sadly, that it is practically tolerated and sanctioned by the national leadership exposes our moral bankruptcy despite our being the only Christian nation in Asia.

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: There are too many people and too little money to go around. It’s not just in politics. It’s in every hole and crack in the country.

Our political system is flawed

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Corruption is intrinsic in Philippine politics because of the inherent defects in our system of government. A presidential candidate spends a billion to run for a P45,000-a-month position. Candidates for lower positions spend hundreds of thousands to millions using their personal wealth. Politicians run not for altruistic reasons, but treat it like a business venture. We have to change our Charter to correct this. But let’s do that after 2010.

Jose Fabello, Cagayan de Oro City: Our political system is full of loopholes, which make it ripe for corruption, which goes unchecked.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: It’s because of endemic flaws in the essence and enforcement of our laws that govern election spending. These can only breed corrupt political leaders.

Weak justice system

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Corruption has always been a pandemic, even during the time of Christ, and even before that. What makes RP different from the others is that we have a weak justice system that is full of loopholes that favors the rich and the influential.

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: We have too many lawyers under a weak justice system. Kaya parang namimiesta dito ang mga mandarambong!

Patrick Miranda, Marikina City: It’s because only the small fish get punished, i.e. rookie cops and customs inspectors. Where are the generals, colonels, and commissioners?

The media doesn’t help

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: The situation appears that way because the media willingly ushers anyone who cries corruption sans any iota of truth. Erap was, of course, an exception.

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: Government officials should lead by example. Media seems to be promoting the interests of their employers instead of protecting public interest. 

Rod Villar, Iriga City: Corruption is common and rampant in all strata of society throughout the world, even long before the advent of Jesus Christ. The unique Filipino character traits of utang na loob, pakikisama, bahala na, crab mentality, gossiping in collaboration with some irresponsible, unethical, and unprofessional members of media serve as a fertile ground for corruption to grow unhampered.

Corruption is now institutionalized

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: The truth is, it has now become truly endemic peculiar and characteristic of the Filipino, especially in the eyes of the world! It has become institutionalized and most of our people have accepted it as if it were a fact of life! The small fries can be heard saying, “Ganyan na talaga!” Some people look at those who are not in it as tanga!

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Perhaps it’s been the practice of politicians for so long that corruption has reached culture-like status. Worse, it’s likened to an addiction that’s so widespread that it’s not easy to remove from the systems; kailangan na’ng i-rehab.

Jose Parco, Aklan: Whether we like it or not, we’ve had dynasties ages ago. In order to perpetuate themselves in power, the ruling class would go to the extremes of bribery, coercion, harassment, threats, and this is the root cause of corruption, which has become institutionalized. We have practically made our very own Frankenstein!

It’s in our blood

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Paranaque city: First, it’s in the blood of most politicians and Filipinos because we live in a Third World country. Second, the attitude of most Filipinos, especially politicians, is to enrich themselves while still in the office.

Aldo Apostol, Quezon City: It has been our lifestyle since the beginning.

It’s because of patronage politics

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: Corruption is endemic to the Philippine political setting because it has become part of the bureaucratic culture whereby no politician is strong enough to put an end to it, having become part of it. What’s wrong with this oft-abused patronage system is that once the candidate is in office, his indebtedness forces him to violate his oath of office by delivering favors to his patron. Second, an ambitious politician who wants to make a career of politics realizes that he needs even more resources, not only to continue winning elections, but also in order to bestow patronage favors across the political spectrum. Institutionalized corruption, which flourishes in a developing setting like the Philippines presents an irresistible option with excellent rates of return.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Our undying allegiance for utang na loob, a debt that extends beyond death, ties a person and his entire clan to support a candidate in good or bad times.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Real country-above-self politicians have gone with the wind. Now, we have charlatan public servants. When they’re campaigning, their ‘investments’ run in the millions. Politicians can do any corrupt thing possible to get the political position they so want since the ROI is high enough.

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: It’s because of patronage politics. Politicians are always tempted to steal and to resort to corruption because they need money to buy votes and patronage from the voters. If our political system is not changed, there will always be corruption. Besides, no big fish has ever been caught and put to jail!

The corrupt go unpunished

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: Corrupt officials are not punished. Some even get promoted.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila:Corruption has truly been endemic in our political leaders since the Marcos era because it enriches the guilty and only very, very few are punished. What we hve is systemic and collusive corruption, probably one of the worst kinds! Unless we cure this terrible cancer in our political setting, we will always be doomed as a nation!

Edgar Artates, Parañaque: The corrupt are not afraid to run away with their loot, because practically nobody goes to jail. Once you have the money, there are many good lawyers who can help you go unpunished or escape abroad. You are able to buy influence and become a member of the untouchables and are even respected by the church because of your contributions. The rewards of being corrupt are plenty. What you need is just a lot of guts and a thick face.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: It’s because most of our government officials think and act like they are above the law and behave as if they are untouchables, being in power.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: It has become endemic because small-time corruptors are sent to jail and big-time corruptors are either sent to America or pardoned.

It’s a way of getting rich quick

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: It’s the only way to get rich quick that even our priests are enticed to join the fray.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: It’s because many are interested to join politics. For them it is a lucrative business, quite an easy way to become rich.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: There is corruption in all government agencies. Politicians are greedy and are noisily fighting each other for their share of the loot.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Because we have become materialistic. Live within your means, they say, but our means to live is not ever enough, so, diskarte na lang tayo.

Geeann Rivera, Rizal: Corruption is endemic in the Philippines because it is an easy way to become rich.

The corrupt get elected

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Blame it on elected government officials who treat government coffers as their milking cows and use their powers to acquire more wealth by any means.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Simple, the corrupt are the very same people that get elected. And who is going to punish them? Nobody; they are above the law. They have the money to cover up for all their misdeeds so that they can appear clean before the public.

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: We elect corrupt leaders as government officials. Thus, they appoint corrupt government employees, too, and the chain of corruption continues.

The masa allows itself to be bought

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: Corruption is endemic to our political setting simply because our politicians, sans a few honest ones, buy their way to victory come election time.

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Corruption is endemic in the Philippine setting because the Filipino voter as well as the media are being bought and paid for before, during, and after every election. Look at what’s happening now: Villar, Roxas, and De Castro have already spent close to a billion pesos on their TV and print ads.

Pat Cuilan, Benguet: It’s because of vote-buying, unintelligent voting based on mere popularity, and elected officials getting back campaign expenses from government coffers, among others.

Ed Gulmatico, Yemen: Yes, it’s endemic to the political settings in the Philippines. It is only in the Philippines where powerful rich businessmen contribute/donate lots and lots money to would-be election winner. It is only in the Philippines where evil political dynasties dominate the political scene. It is only in the Philippines where vote buying, excessive campaign spending, murder, harassment, and cheating all just to win in an election--has been happening. Corruption in the minds and in the system breeds more corruption and the cycle goes on.

The claws of materialism

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: Corruption is one of those things that are endemic and inherent to the political setting in the Philippines because of greed for power and wealth. The rich get richer and are elevated to the pedestal of immeasurable wealth, while the poor continue to be embedded in the bottom of the sea of poverty.

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Both the rich and the poor are greedy for money. No matter how strong one’s conviction is upon entering public service, the conviction collapses the minute money is within reach. Money is the root of temptation and corruption among politicians and oligarchs. It has become a never-ending political disease.

Ruben Viray, Metro Manila: Money talks in the political arena. It’s very rare that a true politician joins politics to serve the people. You can count with your fingers the true honest public officials we have now.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Corruption thrives and is in its element in the naturally filthy, slimy, and rich habitat that is the Philippine political setting. Money talks loudly and carries a huge stick, more so during the elections. More than any other qualification, it’s money that can make or break a candidate.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: People seek success, power, and riches, expecting that mirage called happiness. Politicians believe that the word “riches” means money money to compensate for compassion, money to divert those nearest and dearest to him from making demands, money to buy the future safety of the people he loves.

Vicious cycle

Romeo J. Nabong II, Saudi Arabia: No doubt, elective positions are really vulnerable to corruption. I think the reason here is, if the predecessor is corrupt, then the successor may do the same. It is a never-ending transfer of greed.

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: It’s in our politicians’ blood. That’s why political dynasties are very popular in the Philippines.

Aristotole Borla, Caloocan City: Corruption seems to be endemic to the political setting in the Philippines because most of them enter as politicians just to follow the footsteps of their forefathers.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Let me put it in a song, with apologies to the Beatles: “Twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They’ve been going in and out of style, but, they’re guaranteed to raise a smile, so may I introduce to you, the one and only Ferdinand; Sgt. Meldy’s Lonely Hearts Club band!” The conjugal dictatorship showed us how to steal, beg or borrow, intimidate the populace, and then how to take it with you when you’re gone”. It was ingrained in us, so much so that Erap tried to copy it but failed. Palagay niyo ba, maaalis pa ‘yun sa mga politicos?

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