IS corruption caused by the weaknesses of people or the weakness of the system?
That was the question asked of presidential aspirants at the second round of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) presidential debate on Sunday night, April 3. With a question like this, and with graft and corruption always one of the most relevant issues in our elections, the debate participants came ready with answers even before the discourse began.
A call for systemic change in the Philippine government was aired by Norberto Gonzales, saying, “we have to find out whether there is corruption in our system or corruption has already become the system.” He proposes a parliamentary system of government which will require changing the Constitution.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno did not answer the question at all, saying if elected, his administration intends to solve corruption by adopting “more technology to limit discretion in government transactions.” “We gave people the chance to pay their taxes without having to talk to anyone… and they never got to interact with fixers in government agencies,” he said, boasting that the City of Manila under him was able to lick corruption.
‘We can dance around the issue and hear every candidate’s take on graft and corruption yet we are sure that corruption will remain in government…’
Leody de Guzman said “even if our laws are strict… if the political dynasties and [traditional politicians] continue to enter government, corruption will continue. Trapos and dynasties, we shouldn’t let them join the elections. Those are just thieves. They have no intention of helping the country.”
Vice President Leni Robredo said corruption is a combination of systemic weaknesses and people in government. She pointed out that while systems for accountability are important, and those guilty of corruption should be held responsible, “there should also be transparency and people empowerment because this is what will prevent government officials from doing wrong.”
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who has experience as a lawmaker and a law enforcer, said “the system is not weak. We have many laws, and institutions that are working. It’s the weakness of people in government.” Lacson pointed to laws like the Anti-Red Tape Act, the Government Procurement Act, the Philippine Competition Act, among others.
“What we need to strengthen is the system of government,” he said, citing the work of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan in investigating, prosecuting and deciding on criminal and civil cases against government officials and employees accused of graft and corruption and similar other offenses.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao said there is a need for leadership and political will to solve the problem of corruption, which is caused by both people and the system. “What I want is for the thieves in government to see each other in jail,” he said. “It’s impossible to lessen those stealing if nobody is sent to prison.”
We can dance around the issue and hear every candidate’s take on graft and corruption yet we are sure that corruption will remain in government — it can be lessened and controlled but it will remain. The primordial cause, of course, is human: people in power can always tweak the system to make way for corruption. Our best hope is to moderate their greed.
