Farce

Even without official government admission, almost all Filipinos already know and even experienced corruption in government. This pernicious and perennial problem of every administration has been with us perhaps ever since the Spanish times. With due apologies to "Madre Espana" and without directly blaming the Spaniards, historical records simply show that the first incidents of corruption happened during the 300 years of the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. May be it was just unfortunate and our sad fate that, like any other colony, most of the Spanish colonizers who landed on our shores were not exactly the reputable ones in their country. It could not be denied that most of the dregs in their society had found their way into our shores. Even Spain’s most important and valuable legacy of Christianization was tainted with so many "Padre Damasos". So the government’s admission of the existence of the culture of corruption by way of reaction to the recent survey listing the Philippines as the most corrupt country in the world does not surprise anybody any more.

More amazing or perhaps even amusing about the government reaction to the survey is its cheeky claim and somewhat insulting boast that they are doing something to curb or minimize corruption in this country. Worse yet is its attempt to convey the message that corruption in government is here with us to stay and we can live with it for as long as the economy is improving anyway. Obviously, the government is backing its claim of doing something about corruption with the supposed economic gains it has achieved so far; that the improving economy is the best proof that the fight against corruption is gaining headway. As in previous anomalies or incidents of fraud where it has been implicated, this government’s priority, emphasis and justification seem to be on the material well being rather than the moral and spiritual upliftment of the Filipinos. Regrettably however, this kind of attitude in solving any problem, more specially corruption, is precisely the single biggest hindrance to a real and far-reaching economic progress we should be enjoying now like the rest of our neighbors in Asia.

The spin of the administration spokesman about taking steps to curb or minimize corruption unfortunately lacks credibility. Apparently, some moves have been made and disciplinary actions imposed on a number of government officials by the different anti-graft bodies. But the overall indelible perception already formed in the public mind is that the government still tolerates or even foments graft and corruption in view of its action or inaction on previous, high profile scandals and anomalies that still have no satisfactory closure up to now. The reality is that most of those who got the axe are the known political enemies of the administration. So far suspensions and dismissals have been imposed on local government officials mostly affiliated with the opposition. Indictments are filed by the Ombudsman mostly against those who have a falling out with this administration.

The government cannot really expect the public to believe that it is serious in its fight against graft and corruption after the Ombudsman cleared the Comelec Officials involved in the Mega Pacific automated counting machines deal that the Supreme Court itself found to be illegal and fraudulent. People will not accept as serious and sincere the government’s actions against some government officials involve in anomalies for as long as it has not indicted Joc Joc Bolante regarding the fertilizer fund scam. Indeed the prevailing notion is that some powerful and influential persons are behind the move to keep Bolante in the US to prevent him from returning here to spill the beans. Public skepticism will linger as long as there is uncertainty on whether a Presidential brother–in-law who is now an incumbent Congressman is really Jose Pidal as he claimed to be when he refused to actually sign in front of senators to authenticate Pidal’s signatures on certain bank documents.

Even the youth of our country are now convinced that government officials involved in certain irregularities or who have enriched themselves in office are admired, lionized and accepted in high society because they are "clever" and "smart’ while those who had not amassed any wealth are ignored and disgraced for their stupidity. This prevailing impression is reinforced by recent events where the "main star" in the "Garci Tape" is even threatening to become an "honorable" member of Congress while the Generals implicated in the tapes for alleged election fraud are actually rewarded with promotions.

Malacañang may really be sincere in its drive to erase this menace in our society. But in view of these perceptions that have been deeply etched in the public mind, its spokesman truly looked pathetic and even funny as he aired the government’s boast about its actions to curb this perennial problem of graft and corruption. From any angle, the government’s actions only look like one big farce.

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