According to a latest Transparency International survey, three out of ten Filipinos believe that corruption has somewhat decreased in the last three years of the Aquino Administration. That would seem like very good news, if not for the fact that about the same number also believe that corruption has increased, and the remaining believe nothing has really changed. But this is certainly a far cry from the past administration's record of corruption, where allegations of corruption come out almost weekly, with Senate inquiries practically becoming part of daytime television, the so-called 'Senatobelas".
Indeed, in the last two years, no major scandal or allegation of corruption has surfaced. Keeping his campaign promise of a "Daang Matuwid", the President has seen to it that his official family works with him to keep that promise, even publicly scolding those he sees underperforming. But while big scandals the likes of the Fertilizer Scam, Swine Scam, Euro Generals, PNP Helicopter scam and the like are not present in this administration, corruption at the grassroots level still remains, explaining why there are still those who believe corruption has increased or has not changed. Officials and employees of agencies like the BIR and Customs come in mind, where grease money is spent for the facilitation of documents and the like. They may not reach the millions or even billions of pesos, but it is still there, even nurtured by the citizenry who do not mind shelling out a few pesos to make things moves faster, or even to prevent being caught.
And which institution is perceived to be the most corrupt? What else but the Philippine National Police. More than six out of ten believe so. That's a lot of Filipinos! Followed of course by the perennial runner-ups, the BIR, Customs and Highways departments. Which is why it is going to take more than a new uniform to alter this perception of distrust by the public.
The Aquino administration has its work cut out for them the remainder of its term. But the culture of corruption that seems to come normal with the badge may be hard to eradicate, without a complete overhaul of the institution. A firm leadership, that probably should be headed by no other than the President himself, must instigate reforms starting with the screening of aspiring policemen. The proposal of allowing graduates of the Philippine Military Academy to join the police force may be a step in the wrong direction, as both institutions are clearly defined by the Constitution. What we do not need is a 'militarization' of government agencies. The armed forces may actually need all the men they can get if tensions in the region do not cool off.
We can only hope that the last three years of this administration bears fruit to an even better perception by the Filipino with regards to corruption. But it cannot do it alone. If the citizenry tolerates the culture of corruption, or even cultivates it, the surveys will not improve. Too long have we lived in a culture of impunity, where even the most brazen of corruption is accepted by some. Too long has the country remained in a list that is not flattering at all.