EDITORIAL - Hindrance to development

The campaign against corruption is a priority not just in the Philippines. In recent years, the United Nations, the World Bank and other organizations have recognized corruption as one of the biggest hindrances to development efforts and one of the major factors behind poverty.

The problem was considered serious enough for the UN to pass the Convention Against Corruption on Oct. 31, 2003. The convention recognized that corruption posed a threat to the stability and security of societies, undermined democracy and the rule of law, and endangered sustainable development. With the passage of the convention came the designation of Dec. 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day.

Today the convention has 164 state parties including the Philippines, which continues to battle entrenched corrupt practices. The UN has noted that corruption hinders the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Studies have shown that corruption takes away billions in funds that could otherwise be used for development projects and basic services including public health care, education and decent shelter. Environmental degradation and human rights violations have also been traced to corruption.

Last September, at a high-level meeting on promoting the rule of law, the UN General Assembly stressed the importance of addressing corruption. The assembly noted the need for governments to fight corruption and for citizens to raise their voices against the problem.

In a message on International Anti-Corruption Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for greater effort to fight the scourge as he declared, “Corruption is not inevitable. It flows from greed and the triumph of the undemocratic few over the expectations of the many.”

The Aquino administration has achieved some progress in confronting the problem, but more effort is needed, as indicated in the ranking of the Philippines in the latest Corruption Perception Index drawn up by Transparency International. The anti-corruption thrust has buoyed business confidence in the country. The thrust must be sustained and the reforms must be made irreversible.