Are we helpless against corruption?

Over 100 Philippine mayors pledged their commitment to good governance last Thursday, August 24. They promised to uphold the rule of law, human rights, and high standards of integrity and transparency, and emphasized citizen participation and youth engagement.

According to a report by BusinessWorld Online, the mayors signed a manifesto expressing such commitment. The mayor are advocating for responsible use of public funds, enhancing state services, employing advanced technology, and bolstering public-private partnerships. Said campaign was initiated by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, a multi-awarded combat veteran and PMA graduate, who has consistently denounced widespread corruption in the country.

Mayors from Metro Manila, including Quezon City, Marikina City, and Muntinlupa City, endorsed the manifesto. It was also reported that Mayor Rommel Arnado of Kauswagan town, Lanao del Norte, also signed the manifesto. Arnado, whom I know personally and who has ties in Cebu, is one of the best performing mayors of the country, and truly I have been impressed by his achievements in Kauswagan.

Given that a poll from Pulse Asia Research indicated that 84% of Filipinos want the government to intensify its anti-corruption drive, the gathering of 100 mayors is a breath of fresh air. While this number may seem like a mere pin drop compared to the though 145 cities and 1,489 municipalities in the country, the unified stand of 100 mayors is very encouraging.

Corruption poses a humongous challenge for me, particularly in how I do my job as a lawyer in this country. A few months ago, I declined an offer from a potential client. That was because upon further investigation, I discovered that the government agency we would be dealing with is riddled with corruption; it’s so deeply ingrained that it appears to be part of their culture.

It’s deeply frustrating to feel so powerless in the face of rampant corruption. In this country, advocating against corruption often feels like a solitary and perilous journey. Speaking out against the decay can put one’s life at risk. It’s not that I shy away from danger; I’ve witnessed attorneys losing their lives without seeing justice served merely because they dared to challenge powerful individuals. My senior partner in our law firm, Atty. Rex JMA Fernandez, was gunned down in August 2021. Two years have passed, and his case has gone cold, with justice remaining elusive.

My frustration is compounded by the fact that this pervasive culture of corruption in our government is not what I was raised to accept. While I’m grateful that such practices are foreign to me, I lament that I’ve yet to grasp how to navigate through them. Imagine spending your entire youth and formative years in schools where fairness was upheld, where the right processes were taught and followed, and where authorities discouraged cheating, punishing those caught. Then, suddenly, upon entering the professional world, you’re confronted with the stark opposite.

While the indeed the “real world” is different from school, how vastly different should it be? Shouldn’t the basic values of integrity, fairness, and accountability also be the norm, not the exception, in our society?

A question constantly lingers: How did we get here? At some point, ordinary, God-fearing citizens chose to turn a blind eye, allowing corruption to take root. It always starts small, with justifications like, “That’s just how things are done here.” Over time, this corruption has eroded the nation’s moral fiber, chipped away by the rust of compromise and silence. We often act as if there are no grave consequences to this, but there are. It’s not just us who will pay the price, but also our children and their children after them.

Yes, corruption exists in every country to some degree. However, the extent and brazenness of corruption in the Philippines are particularly nauseating. It’s evident not just among high-ranking government officials but also in daily encounters, from traffic violations that lead to bribery to overpriced public purchases and projects. It’s as if corruption has become so accepted that one might feel stupid for dealing with a government agency without offering something in return for taxpayer-funded services.

In our legal profession, we are taught the importance of justice and equity. Yet, in practice, how many lawyers often find themselves caught in a quagmire of moral dilemmas. Do we stand up and fight, risking not just our careers but our lives? Or do we stay silent, preserve ourselves, or hope to qualify for a license to practice in California (yes, Filipino lawyers can take the bar exam in some states in the US)?

But despite the seeming hopelessness, we see such positive things like the manifesto of the 100 mayors. The gathering of these mayors, the advocacy campaigns, and a public discourse against corruption provide a sense of optimism.