He said he wasn't poking his nose into the nation's business -- not that the World Bank isn't in the business of dispensing unsolicited advice. But the other day, World Bank president James Wolfensohn said corruption is a common problem among develo-ping countries. "I would urge you to think about transparency and accountability in doing things," he said in the presence of President Estrada at the end of the two-day Conference on Partnership for Governance and Development.
Wolfensohn's admonition came a day after President Estrada, marking the 14th anniversary of the EDSA revolt, declared war on corruption. The next day, the President responded to Wolfensohn's remarks by ordering government agencies to be guided by four principles: FAST, for fairness, accuracy, speed and transparency. "Corruption thrives in vagueness and needless complexity," the President said.
How government agencies respond to his order remains to be seen. Anti-corruption campaigns launched by a succession of administrations mostly remained in the realm of rhetoric and best-efforts pledges. Since the EDSA revolt, the government has been trying to undo the damage wrought by large-scale corruption during the Marcos regime, apart from trying to deal with deep-rooted corrupt practices in the bureaucracy. There's a law against graft and corruption, but only minor government functionaries have been prosecuted and put behind bars.
The Estrada administration itself has been bedeviled by accusations of corruption and a return of Marcos-style cronyism -- charges that the President has repeatedly denied. Since assuming power 20 months ago, the President has been embroiled in controversy after controversy involving relatives and friends. In recent weeks, concerns have been raised that there is no level playing field for investors in this country.
It's not enough to issue declarations of war on corruption. The best way to refute allegations of wrongdoing is to set the example, by making the nation's seat of power a model of fairness, accuracy, speed and transparency in public service. FAST should start at Malacañang.