Philippines as most corrupt Asian country?

There have been various reactions to the latest international survey showing the Philippines as the most corrupt country in Asia. Predictably, the present government has tried to defend itself by raising questions about the survey methodology or by pointing to their efforts to curb corruption. Politicians, pro and anti-government, have also registered their opinions in various press statements.

Adding their voice, the Akbayan Party List emailed and forwarded a statement from akbayan partylist" <[email protected]> raising certain issues related to this topic. We would like to reprint some of these points that Akbayan raised for our readers to review and to reflect on.

"The growing negative perception on the Philippines as the most corrupt Asian country is a result of the government's brazen and systematic attempt to cover up big time corruption cases ... The survey should be seen as a referendum of the international business community on the GMA administration. "

" … A long list of large corruption cases will continue to embarrass as long as they're not acted upon. Aside from the ASEAN corruption scandal, there are other cases that were conveniently ignored, covered up, or …simply languishing in bureaucratic limbo. "

According to the Akbayan email, "the following cases that were not acted upon by the government include 1) The P 28 billion North Rail project ( allegedly ) approved by the GMA regime despite the lack of competitive bidding, the questionable legality of the buyer credit loan agreement (BCLA) and the lack of the contractor's engineering expertise and experience and with the cost of the allegedly anomalous deal at $16 M per kilometer, and the 3 percent interest p.a. higher than other loan packages that the country could have availed of); 2) the Fertilizer Scam-( allegedly involving ) P 728 million of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA Rice) program which was ( allegedly ) used in the 2004 presidential election, with former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante as the alleged architect of the scam; 3) the Phil Health Cards- An 8-page complaint was ( allegedly ) filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against the alleged use of some P5 to 25 million in taxpayers' funds to ( allegedly ) finance the election campaign of President Arroyo last 2004 elections; 4) the Jose Pidal Case- where allegedly funds from campaign supporters and alleged anomalous deals were funneled; 5) the Mega Pacific Scam- The P1.3-billion poll modernization project of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which the Supreme Court (SC) deemed the process flawed and declared the contract null and void; 6) the Macapagal Boulevard Scam- where the cost of construction allegedly ballooned from P731.44 million to P1.1 billion, and, 7) the Power Plant Deal which (allegedly was approved) despite claims that it was disadvantageous to the government. "

In conclusion, "Akbayan warned the public not to expect too much from the government after the survey result" and not to expect "the government to be serious in its anti-corruption drive."

Given the diverse positions of contending parties about corruption, for the coming elections, our voters may wish to really seriously reflect on the position and practice of political parties and candidates with regards to corruption. Who are the candidates and which political parties have genuine and clear anti-corruption schemes and experiences? Who are the incumbent candidates who have cleared their accounts, their use of public funds?

The voting public must demand transparency and public accountability for all public funds used by incumbent candidates. When our people can vote into office those who are genuinely anti-corruption, those who are for honest and genuine public service, then our country may not have to be humiliated ever again with the label of being the most corrupt in Asia.

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