EDITORIAL - A renewed campaign

United States Ambassador Francis Ricciardone said nothing new about corruption in this country, according to President Arroyo. A day after the envoy warned that corruption was driving away foreign investors, the Makati Business Club released the results of its latest executive survey. As in previous polls, MBC members identified their areas of concern. And as in their recent polls, two problems again stood out: peace and order as well as corruption.

True, the problem of corruption is nothing new. But this does not make the problem any less urgent. Several studies have shown that corruption in this country has meant billions of pesos in revenue losses. Corruption raises the cost of doing business in the Philippines. Combined with other problems such as inadequate infrastructure and laws deemed unfriendly to foreigners, the country can easily lose investments to its neighbors.

Yesterday President Arroyo vowed to wage an intensified campaign against corruption. Successive administrations, however, have made similar pledges, with hardly any results. With the Arroyo administration, public expectations of a no-nonsense campaign against graft are particularly high. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was installed in power because of a popular uprising that was born of disgust over corruption. It’s not enough that her predecessor and his son are being held without bail for plunder. People want government action on graft and corrupt practices, from petty extortion by policemen to kickbacks that are believed to be part of every major government deal.

This problem is so massive that the burden cannot be placed on the shoulders of the President alone. For this campaign to succeed, all branches of government have to be on board: Congress, the executive and the judiciary. Legislation, executive action and strict enforcement of laws, combined with public vigilance, can still make a dent in the fight against corruption. With sincerity and political will, it’s possible to score some victories in this battle.