EDITORIAL - No. 1 on the graft list

Almost every week, there is a story about a local government executive, incumbent or retired, being indicted for corruption by the Office of the Ombudsman. In 2014, for the fourth straight year, mayors and other local executives again topped the list of public officials who faced graft complaints, with 2,053 cases filed by the ombudsman. The Philippine National Police also maintained its second place on the list, with 1,258 complaints filed against its personnel including the PNP chief, who was suspended for six months.

Those figures have improved from a high of 3,854 complaints filed against local government executives in 2011. And it’s a positive development that formal charges are being brought against public officials for graft. But the high number also shows the extent of a problem that has been the subject of complaints from investors and many other people who have had to do business with local government units.

While President Aquino has tried to set the example in espousing good government, his anti-corruption campaign has barely trickled down the ranks of the bureaucracy, particularly in local government units whose political leaders run their turfs like independent republics. Red tape is designed into systems and procedures to give every official and clerk an opportunity to receive “facilitation fees.” Bidding procedures are rigged to favor relatives and cronies of local officials. LGU red tape is one of the biggest reasons for the country’s low ranking in every international survey on ease of doing business.

Criminal indictments and punishment help, but these must be accompanied by enduring institutional reforms. Simplifying procedures and promoting transparency in government transactions can be accomplished quickly if there is political will. This, unfortunately, is what’s lacking in many local government units.