Corruption still

In order for corruption to survive, the players must be in the game. The corruptor and the corruptible. If you are the one offering bribes in any form, then you are the corruptor. If you accept this bribe for special favors then you are the corruptible. If you are the one who asks for the bribe, then you are simply corrupt. Wherever you are, there is still that shady character that outlines your being.

In my last article, I mentioned the ways in which we can avoid that daunting hole of corruption. Aside from exerting efforts to keep our business clean, and to create policies that will not promote the practice, there is also a need for more education.

We need to know more about our rights and the laws that will help us veer away from arguments that stem from corrupt collections.

Knowing the law is one. Usually areas where the temptation to corrupt occurs is when one is filing for permits, paying taxes or processing documents. Corruption is not the sole responsibility of the one who is asking for a bribe. It is also the accountability of the one giving it. An act becomes malicious when we know that the intention is for personal gain. Note, the point is personal gain. Some government workers who may seem to hold your documents to verify your transaction may be doing it for your protection. You have to make sure that that person is not simply delaying the process to evoke a bribe. How would you know, he or she wants to seek payment? Wait. One way or another, if the person will not ask it from you, someone else will. Wait for the actual articulation, verify an insinuation. Be sure.

Knowing the law would help us confront ill practices. The Philippine Constitution is the basic legal bible for this purpose, aside from the Bible itself. Article II, Sections 27 and 28. Section 27 requires honesty and Section 28 in the same token requires full public disclosure. Article XI of the Constitution discusses the Accountability of Public Officers. That includes all rank and file. In any section of government, all employees must be deserving of public trust.

Republic Act 9485 also takes up the anti-red tape act where the state declares its policy on integrity, accountability and proper management of public funds that lead to the prevention of graft and corruption. This is supported by RA 3019 and further articulated in RA 6713 which zeroes in into the code of conduct and ethical standards of government employees.

There is still a long list of laws that protect citizens, and people in business against corruption. A helpful resource would be the Anti-Corruption Manual for SMEs by the Asian Institute of Management. 

Through all these, I think, the basic question is, where is your heart now? For the pursuits of your heart is where your soul really lies.