State workers back Noynoy's efforts vs corruption

MANILA, Philippines - An organization of government employees has thrown its support behind the move of president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to start weeding out massive corruption in the bureaucracy, saying they will be the “eyes and ears” of the incoming administration.

Esperanza Ocampo, president of the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA), said they were inspired by the statement of the incoming president, who intends to launch an intensified campaign against bad eggs in government.

“With no other than the highest official of the land who is hell bent to curb corruption, we are emboldened and encouraged to take part in the anti-corruption campaign by offering ourselves to be eyes and ears of your dispensation,” PGEA said in a statement.

“We are planning to mobilize the PGEA members all over the country to start the anti-corruption drive by creating an employee-manned corruption prevention units in their respective agencies all over the country to start the anti-corruption drive,” Ocampo said.

For several administrations, government workers have been “silent witnesses to those malfeasance and misfeasance, but due to fear of harassment and reprisals, most often than not, we prefer to be silent about it,” she said.

Ocampo said they have always been “affected by the general perception” that the entire bureaucracy is corrupt, even if these anomalies have only been “perpetuated by unscrupulous public officials particularly those who claim to be close to the powers that be.”

“We are willing to sit down with the anti-corruption team of the incoming administration for we believe that being in the forefront of public service we can give the alarm signal whether or not those assigned to our departments are doing some hanky-panky,” she said.

PGEA said the anti-corruption drive first came into being during the time of Aquino’s mother, the late President Cory Aquino, where they have been “empowered,” by way of appointing members in the management board of government corporations.

“It is for this reason that Ocampo has asked the president-elect to include them in the drive, and at the same time, give them due recognition to the meaningful contribution of the rank-and-file employees in nation-building, thru genuine representation and empowerment,” the group said.

Noynoy urged to start fresh

Healing priest Fr Fernando Suarez has challenged both the outgoing and incoming administration to help in the healing of the country by talking and reconciling their differences.

“At this point, we need unity. We should start everything new, fresh and healed! They need to talk and they need to reconcile…that is the beginning of healing. I hope they are mature enough and spiritual enough to accept each others differences of opinion and principle… They all want what is good for the country so why not do good and be humble enough to reconcile,” Suarez said.

“It is time to set aside personal hurt and biases for the sake of others and the country. We in the recent elections, have a fresh start so I am praying that we be freed from the bondage of anger, resentment and bitterness so the country will be healed from its social ailments,” he Suarez added.

Despite controversies hounding the administration of President Arroyo, Suarez credited the outgoing president for the remarkable resilience of the Philippine economy in the face of the global recession.

“When the rest of the world is crumbling from the economic crunch, the Philippines, a third world economy, came out unscathed and showed gains,” he said. “It is undeniable and everybody knows that she is a hardworking president and as such she was able to ‘heal’ aspects of the country’s economy …I commend her for that.”

Suarez also acknowledged the numerous projects implemented, pursued and finished during Mrs. Arroyo’s term saying it is an indication of her hard work.

“She has done a lot of good specially the projects. She focused on the economy and given the global crisis yet we survived,” the priest added.

Referring to the controversies during the Arroyo administration, Suarez said its part of the territory of being a president as he is sure that the incoming Chief Executive will be hounded by controversies as well.

But Suarez said he is praying that President-elect Benigno Aquino III will be able to deliver and execute promises he had made as a candidate.

Suarez, of the Companions of the Cross, a Canada-based congregation, founded the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation (MMP) in July 2006. MMP, located at Alfonso Cavite, is both a healing ministry and a charitable institution feeding 2000 students daily, sponsoring close to 140 families, 25 seniors, 50 scholars and six seminarians in the poor areas of the country.