In Ham and Eggs, I wrote that the time for staying in the sidelines is over. That the choice shouldn’t be made on election day, but right now. That each Filipino must choose now, who their candidate is. I’ve also mentioned that my personal barometer for success– no matter who wins in next year’s contest is simply to put an end to corruption.
Transparency International ranked the Philippines number 139 on its Corruption Perception Index.
As a corollary take a look at this screenshot I took of the Global Competitive Report 2009-2010:
Global Competitive Report Philippines 2009-2010
The next administration must focus on Corruption. That everything else must take a back seat. Education. Health Care. and anything else you can think about must play second fiddle to fighting and defeating Corruption. That everything the next administration must handle, at its core ought to be about fighting corruption no matter how indirect it is. The Philippines’ knack for pulling self out of the brink may run out. If the next administration somehow misses the boat to fix Corruption at this juncture, it is not inconceivable to find the Philippines in a much deeper spot than it already is. This is the challenge of the next president of the Philippines.
* * *
my thanks to @Solstitial for transparency international link.
Popularity: 1% [?]
No matter who we elect as President. If we Filipinos will not CHANGE
our ways of thinking in governance and leadership. It will be more
of the same. Here are our wrong ways of thinking:
1. Government Service is a CASH COW for most elected government officials. It is where you receive “lagays”. Opportunity to steal government funds thru graft and corruption. And enjoy your self importance. No good principled public leadership in their minds.
2. The Government is expected to deliver all the services. People will just wait to be serviced to. Government is a community effort. The people helps the government officials to fulfill goals being set up. Including cleaning the government. This is the reason we elect
Movie Actors or Actresses who play Heroes or Heroines in Movies. We mistake them for their roles in playing Heroes or Heroines in the stories in Cinema One. Hoping that they will find the solutions to our problems. We elect them. Expecting they will do the same in Real Situations. Of course, We are all disappointed. We are willing SUCKERS. We mistake fantasy from reality.
Again, take for example those people trapped in poverty. Living on the GARBAGE DUMPS. Do we see programs being formulated to get them off from their situations? And, for them to live better lives other than from the Garbage Dumps? This is a community effort : to prevent future floods;to protect the environment; and to uplift the lives of those Garbage Dump people. We have to find immediate solutions for this problem.
3. If we follow up all graft and corruption cases. And if, the government will cooperate in prosecuting the guilty. Graft and
corruption can be minimized. The trouble is those Political Party “Asungots” are the ones stealing big. Their Bosses are either the direct or indirect participants.
It is a vicious political culture we have. We have to break from it. If we want to progress. It is our choices. Can we find hope in the next generation of leaders?
The UNITED NATIONS has been a prime-mover pushing Pinas government officials to alleviate poverty. Erap agreed, and GMA after him also agreed that by 2015 to cut by half or more the percentage of the population that survives on one US-dollar-a-day.
Come 2015 by God’s grace, only one-in-five of Pinoys-in-Pinas will be surviving on a dollar-a-day (a big improvement from when Erap took over Tabako where four out of 10 Pinoys in Pinas were living on less than a dollar a day). GMA apparently is on target (from four-out-of-10, now it is 3-out-of-10 Pinoys in Pinas on a dollar-a-day) isn’t she just wonderful????
You’d think either NoyNoy or Gibo will say that they will do better than the UN Millenium Development Goals. One in 10 Pinoys-in-Pinas on that dollar-a-day statistic by 2015 — why not??
Agreements, forecasts and hopes are not material results.
I can agree that I will win $1 billion lotto in the next two
years. But, will I win? Wishful thinking cannot substitute
present material facts or actions to solve the problems. I dont
see any efforts at present. We have reasons to become cynics…
“GMA apparently is on target (from four-out-of-10, now it is 3-out-of-10 Pinoys in Pinas on a dollar-a-day) isn’t she just wonderful????”-UP n
Heheh, UP n, you’re such an act. SWS and Mahar Mangahas will never convince you!
Poverty in Pinas has been reduced.
The damn thing is that poverty remains so high, and it is because Pinoys-in-Pinas have deluded themselves about how great the country is when it really is down way down there in the scheme of things. Pilipinas sucks!!! You can love the sunset at Manila Bay and the great new buildings at Taguig and the friendly smiling relatives, but it remains that Pinas : one of the poorest countries in the world. Was then, is now, and will be when 2015 arrives.… unless Pinoys-in-Pinas get the message to their congressmen and senators and to Malacanang — “2015-two in 20 under a dollar” is unacceptable.
This country is really great, the Pinoys-in-Pinas too. And the sunset at Manila Bay. And my neighbors in my barangay too.
Give us an honest and clean PRESIDENT, with a will of steel to enforce the law, who will not change his/her mind and attitude after sitting on the throne in the palace by the Pasig River.
Then see with your own eyes how in 2015, the 3 in ten become 1 in thirty.
I actually am on your side, Bert. I wish that all the miracles possible happen so that in 2015, what you wish come true. But I still say that pinas politicians can ignore people like you because you are not angry enough. And didn’t you say that many times you got frustrated when you wanted to surge-the-gates because other Pinoys in Pinas did not share your passion?
UP n,
Anger is important, but so is an outlet for directing it. Surging the gates is futile I suspect. Maybe by banding together to form a Civil Liberties Union and start by suing the judiciary for constitutional violations for not providing fair and speedy justice. I dunno. Try to pry open the courtrooms, so people have a legal outlet and don’t have to go through self-serving legislators.
Joe
Our Senator, Congressman, President.
It has been in the past, that all or for the most part, are just but a media personal.
No prior knowledge of the political systems and for the most part, uneducated.
Take one for an example (no name given, and you know who I’m talking about).
Also, we have another stepping into the platform. He may have the good looks, but his just another character from a media. Hell, if this is the case. Might as well vote in my two favorite characters.
Spy vs. Spy
The comic features two spies, Black and White, who are constantly warring against each other, and coming up with increasingly sophisticated ways of doing away with the other. But these were the exception rather than the rule and most of the time one antagonist would beat the other
We can be dumbasses Filipinos, or we can be knowledgeable Filipinos.
Take your choice…!
mario, we’ve seen it before, dumbasses or not, we can’t predict what a candidate will do after sitting on the throne in the palace by the Pasig River. Gloria was clean before she became president, remember?
If you have a link to an effective crystal ball post it here right now for the sake of our country and people.
Bert,
Remember the saying:
“When you’re knee-deep in alligators, sometimes you forget that the prime objective was to drain the swamp!”
Or should we say, she was thrown in as sharks bait.
you mean, mario, she’s a piece of meat? i thought she’s a master, err, i mean, a masteral? ahay, ano ba ito, mali-mali na yata ako.
Bert,
You can not be 100% sure of anything, but you can look at the evidence and run a calculated risk, going with the best deal. That is the way with most of life, even going out on the road to drive . . .
Joe
My friend Joe,
You’re right, I agree with that. mario is right too.
Indeed we’ve all been doing all those looking for evidence thing everytime, and running all sorts of calculated risk, going with the best deals.
What do you think have we got from those “best deals”?
We got screwed!
Perhaps, ranking 139 out of a pack of 180 countries in terms of Corruption Perception Index for 2009 may still be considered to be not really worrisome, or is it?
We realized though that these data were arrived at using 13 independent surveys put together thus placing countries in their respective ranking order as to their perceived level of corruption.
Does it follow then that the single greatest challenge for the next president would be precisely to put an end to this social malaise?
How will such a president put an end? Are there available mechanism? Are there tools? When was the last time did we really find a mayor, a governor, a barangay captain or a senator or congressman or president who is not corrupt?
How will such a president put an end to corruption? Easy.
1. Total honesty.
2. Zero tolerance for graft and corrupt practices in government transactions.
3. A will of steel for law enforcement.
That’s all.
Tools? The law!
This president will have to get cabinet members also with the zeal for Zero tolerance for graft and corrupt practices in government transactions. Man, that will be hard.
And if that’s not hard enough, then these cabinet members will need a staff also with zero tolerance for graft/corruption. Senators and congressmen, also provincial governors and mayors also have to have the anti-graft/corruption zeal. And if that’s not hard enough, then there are the directors-and-above already in place at the BIR, passport office, Dept Highways, other place.
What about the goal becomes a 25%-reduction in graft/corruption? A measurable goal is, by 2012, to quadruple the number of anti-graft/corruption cases brought to court, and to double the number of convictions.
UP n,
You are correct, and it also requires new laws. Like fair employment. Corruption starts when family and friends are hired instead of those with the highest skill, education or demonstrated achievement. This form of cheating cuts off careers and encourages EVERYONE to go for the money under the table, even the workers.
Joe
UPn is echoing Romulo Neri’s moderate the greed approach. We’ve seen how it works (or does not work) in practice. Enough is enough.
Applying administrative improvements without addressing underlying economic, political, and social causes will not solve corruption. The candidate who presents such an option is quite ill-advised, ill-informed, misguided, and totally vacuous.
Ending corruption by next year is impossible!!!! The next president has to get people who are SMART:
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Framed.
Specific: Goals need to be something specific. Often we set goals that are so loose, it’s nearly impossible to judge whether we hit them or not. For example, a statement like “I will lose weight” is too vague. How will you know if and when you’ve reached your goal? Saying, ” I will lose five pounds this month” is more specific. At the end of the month it will be a simple matter of weights and measures.
Measurable: Goals need to be measurable. For example, many of us want to increase our number of contacts. But, “making new contacts” is an ambiguous statement. A clearer objective is “I will attend four networking events each month and try to connect with one person at each.” It’s a simple, concrete goal. This makes it easy to see if you hit your target.
Achievable: Goals need to be reasonable and achievable. Nearly everyone has tried to drop a few pounds at one time or another. Often their success or failure depends on setting practical goals. Losing 15 pounds in 30 days is unrealistic (unless you’re planning a medical procedure). Losing six to eight pounds in 30 days is reasonable. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting goals that are out of reach.
Realistic: Goals need to be realistic. When we’re kids we think we can do anything. As adults we learn that while we can have a lot, we can’t have it all at the same time. It’s important to honestly evaluate yourself. Do you have the ability and commitment to make your dream come true? Or does it need a little adjustment? For example, you may love to play tennis, but do you have the time, talent and commitment to become a pro? Be honest.
Time Framed: Goals need to have a time frame. Having a set amount of time will give your goals structure. For example, many of us want to find a new job or start their own business. Some people spend a lot of time talking about what they want to do, someday. But, without an end date there is no sense of urgency, no reason to take any action today. Having a specific time frame gives you the impetus to get started.
Moderate the greed is “… huwag namang masyadong ganid. Five-million peso kickback, puwede na. Five million dollars, sobra na iyan!”
Being S.M.A.R.T. is different. Maski iyong million-peso kickback ay ikinakalaboso din. S.M.A.R.T. means to plan for progress via achievable steps. SMART is different from being a quitter — if by 2012 you can’t put all the corrupt in jail, then do not even try.
I know corruption is a big problem here in the Philippines, but sometimes, it corrodes our thinking and our minds are flooded with the main issue of corruption. This distracts our frame of thinking from a positive type of goal setting to a negative type.
From:
I want the president to do this or be like this
To:
I want the president not to do this or not to be like this
I think this just lowers our standards for governance or our idealism in what we want in a president.
Another thing. Even though corruption is present, we must remember to calibrate our perception of it. As the CPI measure tells us, it is a perception. Perception can be wrong or manipulated (I’m not saying our perception is wrong only magnified most likely by fear). This magnified perception of corruption Filipinos is rooted in our current administration who really put corruption on the spotlight. Is this perception all bad? No, but it certainly is a danger to accuracy, morale, and to objective solutions.
Corruption by itself does not cause poverty. However it can exacerbate poverty.
Corruption is a symptom of a deeper malaise – the lack of economic opportunities – or its concentration in the hands of the few, the oligarchs. Corruption takes place when there are only few opportunities and people take shortcuts to get to the opportunity faster than the competition.
Increase the economic opportunities (remove the protectionist clauses in the 1987 CoryKong Constitution) in order to remove the pressure on taking shortcuts for grabbing a dearth of opportunities.
It is understandable that the oligarch handlers of noynoy’s campaign want to focus on corruption only, because when the economic opportunities are liberalized – the oligarchs will be threatened by competition. PLDT, BAYANTEL, MERALCO, MAYNILAD, BENPRES HOLDINGS, ABS-CBN – companies owned by oligarchs want to keep on charging exorbitant fees for lousy service – vote Aquino if that’s what you want.
Corruption, corruption, corruption.
Pinoys are so infatuated with the issue of Corruption, that Pinoys forget that so many developed countries continue to have corruption. Even the USA has a lot of corruption.
Other rapidly developing countries had (and still have a lot of) corruption.
China has loads of corruption, way worse than the Philippines.
Taiwan back in the 80′s, 90′s, and to this day is full of Corruption.
South Korea has lots of corruption.
The EU, especially ITALY has lots of Corruption.
As said earlier, the USA used to have so much Corruption and to this day Corruption still exists in the USA.
But why are Italy and the USA in the First World Category?
Why are Taiwan and China considered to be major economic dragons, with China being an emerging superpower?
Why is South Korea one of the richest societies in Asia, able to give us high quality products in Samsung, LG, and many others?
Because while they may have Corruption, they focus NEVERTHELESS on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT!
Pinoys have the wrong focus. Pinoys continue to be infatuated with the wrong thing: Puro tayo “Corruption” and “Anti-Corruption”, we TOTALLY FORGET that Corruption is an effect of POVERTY and lack of ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT!
Fix the Economy, and lessen Corruption!
It’s that simple.
But of course, ayaw mag-isip ng Pinoy. Puro tayo “go with your gut” eh.
We don’t think. We don’t analyze. We don’t look at the fact that Corruption is just a symptom of the lack of Economic Development and thus TOTALLY FORGET that even if we don’t focus on corruption and instead focus on Economic Development, corruption will actually lessen itself BY ITSELF!
Filipinos! Stop making “Corruption” the excuse for why our economy isn’t as good as it should be.
Let’s just admit that it is OUR LAZINESS that makes our economy the way it is, which in turn causes Corruption to happen all around us.
If we eradicate our laziness, and instead work hard, work smart, focus on improving our economic situations, then our society will be all the better for it.
And in the end, corruption will die on its own.
But fighting corruption?
You’re not getting at the root of corruption. You’re just hitting the symptom.
And that, Pinoys, AIN’T EVER GONNA WORK!
Corruption, corruption, corruption??
pakdatshyet!
Fix the Economy, the Economy, the goddamned ECONOMY!
…then you fix Corruption!
*bow!*
Tingog,
Unsa man ang imong problema? Ngano’y dili man ka ganahan mo approve sa akong gi-sulat? Unsa man, wala ka’y oras?
Pagtarong dinha ka’y dili na maayo ang imong gi-buhat!
Let’s step back from Politics and into the Ring for a moment.
These words are from The Marocharim Experiment, you all know who he is; Marck (one of the few blogosphere that I keep track of). Let’s put a limelight on this story about [Me and the Pacman]
“I said before that at least in this country, the most basic demands of citizenship are sometimes considered heroic. In these trying times for heroes, a sense of civic duty and having spine to stand up for what you believe in can turn you into a hero. There’s no shortage of heroes in this country, whether you sing praises to them or not. There’s Efren Penaflorida, for one. There’s Myrna Pocare and Celia Regulacion. There’s Manny Pacquiao, even. They’re doing things that, at least from where we all stand, is something extremely difficult and heroic: be Filipinos.”
Given a chance, what “IF” these four individual are given an opportunity to present our Country. Would there be a brighter future for the Filipinos.
So Sad!
My condolences, to these two and their families [Myrna Pocare and Celia Regulacion] Look deep into their Hearts, what do you see…!
A practical solution to corruption. Sen. Roco switched payroll to direct deposit (isn’t it?) for teachers. That emasculated the tong collectors terrorizing the lowly paid teachers with payroll deductions.
Switching government transactions to more electronic forms and less reliance on “cash” creating instant electronic records. People can transact business with government offices through debit/credit cards, banker’s or certified cheques, or through chartered banks payable to the National or Provincial treasuries. Government can do bank to bank transfers, cheque payments, or provide govt credit cards instead of cash advance (eliminating that strange practice called, “liquidating”) etc. Limit the use of cash receiving or paying.
The LRT, MRT, security checks at the malls etc, taught people to line up. Any pol worth his salt should address corruption in very practical terms. Denying people access to cold hard cash automatically lessens the chances of people making “kupit.”
Unfortunately Joe, nothing in RA 6713 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and its corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations is anything written that would address nepotims in government as the breeding ground for corruption.
Corruption, corruption, corruption.
Pinoys are so infatuated with the issue of Corruption, that Pinoys forget that so many developed countries continue to have corruption. Even the USA has a lot of corruption.
Other rapidly developing countries had (and still have a lot of) corruption.
China has loads of corruption, way worse than the Philippines.
Taiwan back in the 80’s, 90’s, and to this day is full of Corruption.
South Korea has lots of corruption.
The EU, especially ITALY has lots of Corruption.
As said earlier, the USA used to have so much Corruption and to this day Corruption still exists in the USA.
But why are Italy and the USA in the First World Category?
Why are Taiwan and China considered to be major economic dragons, with China being an emerging superpower?
Why is South Korea one of the richest societies in Asia, able to give us high quality products in Samsung, LG, and many others?
Because while they may have Corruption, they focus NEVERTHELESS on ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT!
Pinoys have the wrong focus. Pinoys continue to be infatuated with the wrong thing: Puro tayo “Corruption” and “Anti-Corruption”, we TOTALLY FORGET that Corruption is an effect of POVERTY and lack of ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT!
Fix the Economy, and lessen Corruption!
It’s that simple.
But of course, ayaw mag-isip ng Pinoy. Puro tayo “go with your gut” eh.
We don’t think. We don’t analyze. We don’t look at the fact that Corruption is just a symptom of the lack of Economic Development and thus TOTALLY FORGET that even if we don’t focus on corruption and instead focus on Economic Development, corruption will actually lessen itself BY ITSELF!
Filipinos! Stop making “Corruption” the excuse for why our economy isn’t as good as it should be.
Let’s just admit that it is OUR LAZINESS that makes our economy the way it is, which in turn causes Corruption to happen all around us.
If we eradicate our laziness, and instead work hard, work smart, focus on improving our economic situations, then our society will be all the better for it.
And in the end, corruption will die on its own.
But fighting corruption?
You’re not getting at the root of corruption. You’re just hitting the symptom.
And that, Pinoys, AIN’T EVER GONNA WORK!
Corruption, corruption, corruption??
pakdatshyet!
Fix the Economy, the Economy, the goddamned ECONOMY!
…then you fix Corruption!
*bow!*
The Real Deal,
“Your one of the few that advocates ECONOMICS.”
And this a good thing. One must understand probabilities and dealing with business. This the underlying of our growth to the economy also, to our society.
What this discussion implies is that an essential requirement of economic recovery is that the widespread problems in the balance sheets of business firms must be fixed. Business firms need more capital, less debt, and more cash. When they achieve that, business confidence will be restored.
Kindly let me educate you a wee bit, as my son always educate me and keeps me inform.
A fundamental fact is that our present monetary system is characterized both by irredeemable paper money, i.e., [fiat money], and by credit expansion. There is no limit to the quantity of fiat money that can be created. This is the foundation for potentially limitless inflation and the ultimate destruction of the paper money, when the point is reached that it loses value so fast that no one will accept it any longer.
The fact that our monetary system is also characterized by credit expansion is what creates the potential for massive deflation — for deflation to the point of wiping out the far greater part of the money supply, which in the conditions of the last centuries has been brought into existence through the mechanism of credit expansion.
Economics has to be put in place first. To propel this Country of ours to a brighter future. If the administrative system keeps corrupting the system. Corruption(s) will have to be iron out in the process.
I am one the few that ECONOMICS must be dealt with before CORRUPTION.
“Fix the Economy, the Economy, the goddamned ECONOMY!
…then you fix Corruption!
*bow!*”
Heheh, fix the economy daw? The left hand fixing the economy, the right hand picking the pockets of the people and government.
Enough of this “fixing the economy” thing!
Paano nga ba matatapos ang kurakot corruption kung ang mga botante at mga mamayan ay mangmang????
O, eto, two birds with one stone. Kailangang hingin ng mga edukado katulad ni Bert at ni Cocoy na iwasto ang educational system ng Pilipinas. Bigyan ng kaunti pang pero for elementary and high schools. At siguro naman, baka dumami ang magbigay ng pondo para sa college education ng mga Pinoy.
Pag edukado ang mga botante, mas may laban na ang mga pekeng politician ay hindi makatuntong sa Kongreso. At the same time,
high school graduates earn 40% more than hindi nakatapos; college graduates, doble ang gastos, at kung artista ka o TV media star, 10 times o sobra pa!!!
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091124-237987/Street-kid-going-to-college-from-pushcart-school
Pag mas edukado ang mamayan, mas rarami ang middle class, and the middle class can lead the country forward.