Can we eradicate corruption?

Corruption is ultimately paid for by the poor, Pope Francis once said. We remember his words as we marked International Anti-Corruption Day yesterday, Dec. 9.

It’s true in the past, and still true now. It’s true in rich countries and in the poorest of nations. Indeed, it is the poor who suffer the most because of corruption.

It’s true everywhere and especially true in this nation of 120 million.

More than 20 million Filipinos – that’s a significant number by any indication – still live below poverty line.

It”s no surprise. Corruption in this country is impossibly entrenched and as so many observers have pointed out, we seem to be losing the battle against corruption in recent years.

I had a different topic in mind for today’s column. I was not planning on writing about corruption again. Never mind that Dec. 9 was supposed to be Anti-Corruption Day.

After all, I had written about corruption many times over the past 20 years I’ve been working as a journalist. The problem is still as bad as ever and there seems to be no end in sight.

But it is precisely because corruption continues to exist that the fight against it must continue. Thus, here I am again writing about corruption.

During the administration of Rody Duterte, I’ve heard horror stories from tycoons and businessmen of how brazen corruption was – from supply deals to flood-control projects; from local government permits to the construction of government buildings; from ghost projects to ghost employees. We are hearing the same things again now.

You name it, the Philippine bureaucracy has it.

Colonial roots

I often wonder how did we get here. Was corruption bequeathed to us by our colonizers?

One story from the past offers an answer although in reality, there could be many answers.

For instance, there was that story about the corruption discovered by Fernando Bustamante, the first field marshal to serve as governor-general of the Philippines.

“The first step he took after taking office in 1717 was to examine the state of the Royal Treasury; whereupon he uncovered a nest of corruption revolving around the colony’s only economic activity: the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade,” according to an article published by the National Museum of the Philippines.

Corruption in these early days involved smuggling of goods to employing rent-seeking practices. It involved the foreign traders and locals.

Then and now, it is very, very disheartening that corruption remains a major problem in our country.

One reason for this is our selective and slow justice system. There are no big fishes behind bars unless you are the sitting president’s political foe, as what happened to former justice secretary Leila de Lima, who would later on be cleared of the charges against her.

Ghost employees

We have also heard of brazen acts of corruption-related crimes which continue to escape justice.

What has happened, for instance, to the two Monetary Board members involved in the ghost employee scandal of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas?

Even some of our current crop of lawmakers include ex-convicts.

We need a justice system that really brings to justice those found guilty of stealing taxpayers’ money.

Whatever happened to the Pharmally scandal and what will happen to VP Sara Duterte’s confidential fund issue, or should we call it the MaryGrace Piattos deal?

These are questions we need to keep on asking as we mark yet another Anti-Corruption Day.

The youth

I am hopeful that in time, when more and more young people become eligible to vote, they will make better decisions and choose better leaders.

I am also keeping my fingers crossed that they would be more vigilant in holding our leaders accountable for their actions.

The theme of this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration is appropriate – Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.

Why the youth?

The United Nations explains it in an article on this year’s commemoration:

“Young people have dreams and aspirations, but corruption erodes the fabric of society, stifles progress and deprives them of educational opportunities, job prospects, engagement in public life, success in sports and access to health care and other essential services. Additionally, it contributes to environmental degradation and climate destruction.

“Our world confronts numerous challenges, tragedies, inequalities and injustices, many of which are tied to corruption,” it said.

There are 1.9 billion young people in the world and fighting corruption is vital for the future of nearly a quarter of the global population.

A seat at the table

“Young people have a clear vision and innovative ideas for a future free from corruption. We must give them a seat at the table, listen to their voices and involve them in the process. By empowering youth to actively engage in and help lead future anti-corruption efforts, we can create lasting change.”

Therefore, it said, the campaign for International Anti-Corruption Day 2024 to 2025 focuses on the role young guardians of integrity play as advocates, raising awareness about corruption and its impacts on their communities.

In the Philippines, the Filipino youth are involved and active. They are everywhere offline and online for instance, using their platforms on social media and advocating for issues they believe in.

This is very encouraging. After all, it is they who will inherit our world.

As the UN said, “building a just world and a sustainable planet is only possible if corruption doesn’t stand in the way. United, we can combat corruption.”

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Email: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.