Observations

In his two days in South Korea, President Aquino may want to look at the politics and public fund utilization in one of Asia’s most prosperous democracies.

P-Noy may also want to look at how South Korea dealt with its serious corruption problem as it emerged from several decades of authoritarian rule.

Our cultures are of course different, but we also have similarities with the Koreans. We both experienced dictatorial rule. We share democratic values such as respect for human rights and the rule of law – although in our case, adherence to these ideals often seems to be little more than lip service.

Koreans are among the biggest investors here and they account for the largest number of tourist arrivals in the Philippines. Explaining this phenomenon, a Korean diplomat once told me that his compatriots think the Philippines has “the most perfect weather in the world.”

Like other visitors here, the Koreans also like the friendliness of Filipinos (and for investors, Pinoy skills), natural attractions, the relatively low cost of living, and widespread English proficiency. The Philippines’ westernized culture and system of government remind Koreans of home.

Newly arrived Korean expats, however, have common observations about our country that are fascinating for the fact that these are things we take for granted, but which other cultures consider strange if not downright anomalous.

One is the proliferation of guns. South Koreans notice this probably because many of them have been victimized by robbers, carjackers and kidnappers here. Although South Korea is in a state of war with its northern neighbor, it allows only soldiers, police and private security guards to pack guns, and only to perform their duties.

Another thing they have noticed is the proliferation of gated communities in the Philippines. The only South Korean whose house has high walls and a gate is the leader of the country, and President Park Geun-hye’s so-called Blue House is her official residence. Even the wealthiest heads of chaebols or industrial conglomerates don’t have an exclusive gated community. Maybe we have gated communities because our country is flooded with loose firearms.

Other foreigners have also noted that our politicians move around with a phalanx of police bodyguards at taxpayers’ expense, and join presidential trips overseas when only the chief executive is invited by the host government.

Our politicians also think nothing of flaunting their wealth by throwing lavish parties. A Korean once told me that if a public official did this in their country, that official would be out of a job quicker than he can say kimchi.

With the spotlight now on the pork barrel and related scandals, our budgeting system has been added to the list of items that Koreans find amazing in the Philippines.

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South Korea, which hosts a US military base in the heart of its capital Seoul, has a system of government inspired, like ours, by the American presidential system.

But the Koreans don’t have a congressional pork barrel. They seem to have gotten along impressively well without it. Their roads don’t melt in the rain and their infrastructure is one of the best in Asia. Several Koreans have told me they are mystified by the broad personal control vested on our lawmakers over the utilization of huge amounts of public funds.

South Korea is no stranger to large-scale corruption at the top levels of government. The difference is that the Koreans sent two of their former presidents to prison for corruption, presenting them to the public in regular jailbird garb. The two spent sufficient time behind bars before they were granted pardon. Also sent to prison were chaebol VIPs involved in corrupt deals.

Another former Korean president implicated in corrupt deals jumped off a mountain cliff, plunging to his death 30 meters below.

In our country, public officials facing corruption cases will push their accusers off a cliff.

The two former Korean presidents who were sent to prison have slipped quietly into retirement from public life. This is another common observation among expats in the Philippines: our public officials who are accused or convicted of corruption shrug off the charges and go on with business as usual, or else stage spectacular political comebacks.

The Koreans indicted, arrested, tried, convicted, sentenced and then pardoned their former presidents with the same speed and efficiency that have come to be associated with the country’s industrialization and modernization. Then they moved on, busying themselves with achieving global market leadership in many industries from shipping to manufacturing of cars and smart phones.

In our case, the pace of justice is… never mind. We can’t seem to bring closure to anything – the assassination of Ninoy Aquino and Rolando Galman, the cases against the Marcoses, the fertilizer scam, the ZTE broadband scandal. People who are accused of betraying public trust are kicked out by impeachment but do not face trial for what is supposed to be a serious crime. Joseph Estrada at least was convicted after six years in VIP detention… and look where he is now.

Several Koreans have told me that for them, a five-minute delay is a long time. Expats from other countries have told me that the tardiness and delays in so many aspects of life in the Philippines, from the administration of justice to Customs processing and flight arrivals and departures, are among the biggest factors that take away the fun from a stay in the Philippines.

Democracy is a difficult system. Some countries are better at it than others. We can learn from what others have done right.