From the top to bottom

For the most part of June and July, the talk of the town if not the entire country has been about all the high level exposes and anti-corruption action of the PNoy administration.

Thanks to the skillful “Interrogations in the guise of legislation”, the Philippine Senate has in fact brought to light many sins and even more anomalies that have taken place not only during the Arroyo Administration, but all the way back to the time of the Ramos presidency.

To the dismay of lawyers and the accused, the public has started to take notice and appreciate “Why” it is necessary for the PNoy Administration to take an almost “personal” position in pursuing the corrupt and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law.

Defenders of the accused have branded the many issues, accusations and charges as old news. But instead of concurring with them, people on the sidelines are now responding that it is not old news but rather, unfinished business.

When several people warned that canceling contracts with foreign entities would scare away investors, I simply wondered: have we done deals with the devil for so long that we can’t even tell the difference between doing business or selling our souls?

Beyond the politics and press releases, Filipinos are certainly coming to realize that in the end, no amount of power, no amount of money can shield you or spare you from shame or prosecution. There is current appreciation of how the long arm of the law always catches up even with the rich and the powerful.

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All that maybe good news for the current administration, but before they break a leg rejoicing, I must prick their balloon and point out that all their high level anti- corruption efforts are worth squat if street level “government” hoodlums are preying daily on the citizens of the republic!

The people in Malacañang must bear in mind that going after the PCSO, the Bishops, President Arroyo and the forty thieves that stole the Presidency from FPJ may be good PR material but it will not stop PNoy’s popularity from sliding if the anti-corruption campaign does not cascade or is not forcefully implemented at street level.

In the same breath, all the effort in imposing the full force of the law against those who took advantage of their position is meaningless if law enforcement and law enforcers fail in the face of rising numbers of violent crimes.

Almost week after week, there are incidents of carnapping with murder, robbery with murder, carnapping or robbery in band, not to mention the regular occurrence of vigilante killings.

Are we simply suppose to accept these as “normal” because they happen with increasing regularity or isn’t it about time that we all complain about the break down of law enforcement?

While high-level anti-corruption work is being done, citizens are personally experiencing or witnessing street level incidents of extortion, corruption or crime.

I understand that people in the Executive Department may have bigger problems and bigger concerns, but the truth is, failure to address what is now a serious concern of the population is tantamount to pouring water on a Gremlin.

If the President is not overly concerned with popularity ratings, he should be concerned about the destabilizing factor created or caused by real or artificial criminality.

If the President expects Filipinos to take the fight against corruption on a personal level, then no less than the Executive Department should lead a full scale war against street level corruption and extortion.

Perhaps it is about time to establish a system or a national task force against on the ground corruption. With a revitalized Office of the Ombudsman, why not set-up a monitoring center that would serve both as a “call center and an action center.

By linking the center with the DILG, the PNP and the MMDA, as well as DOF and DTI, the Office of the Ombudsman could instantly harvest multiple complaints. Once acted upon, we would have actual proof that the government and the people can fight corruption as well as corrupt officials and personnel.

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The daily reports on carnapping with murder, robbery with murder, serial raping of female dentists, and a host of other crimes would make veteran cops wonder “Who’s in charge?”

At the rate that criminal activity has escalated in violence, it is not enough that precinct commanders are relieved or reassigned. It is not even enough that District Directors or Provincial Directors are relieved.

To be honest, it may be time for President Noynoy Aquino to consider an overhaul of the PNP. Last week, a Cabinet Secretary was quoted as saying that it is no surprise that there is corruption among the police since it is an example set by some of their highest officials. The statement follows in the wake of the anomalous purchase of “used” helicopters.

A few days later, 7 Police Officers stepped up to confirm that there was high level cheating in the 2004 Presidential election and high ranking police officials were involved. As if to add spite, this was followed by a police report of a policeman arrested for selling drugs inside a police precinct!

I can no longer tell which is worse, that the cops are so few and can’t fight the growing criminality or that a number of them have taken part or are involved in criminal acts or covered up crimes?

Why isn’t the Senate investigating the fact that our civilian police force can be used or forced by elected officials and officers to commit crimes or cover-up a crime? Why has no one in Malacanang suggested a major reshuffle and retirement package for top PNP officials who can’t seem to stop the crime spree?

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