Deep Concern About Corruption

Deep Concern About Corruption

TORONTO–Filipino-Canadians of various interests and organizational affiliations are deeply concerned about corruption and the way it affects the lives of Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas. More importantly, they want to do something to fight against it.

This was the collective message of participants in a well-attended Anti-Corruption Consultatncy Forum held Saturday,May 1, at Mayette’s Restaurant on Danforth Ave.

Organized by various Toronto-based Filipino-Canadian organizations, the forum’s stated mission was “to analyze the effects of corruption on the lives of Filipinos, and to gather support in the fight against it.

Facilitated by Paul dela Cruz, president of the Philippine Press Club- Ontario (PPCO), the forum started with participants being asked to introduce themselves and to state their reasons for attending the forum.

Varied reasons were given, ranging from wanting to listen and be informed of issues and developments, to becoming more involved in activities to reduce, if not eradicate corruption in the Philippines.

Some expressed concern about corruption in the Philippines, while others asserted that corruption is a political issue, hence solutions should also be political in nature. Still others insisted people must first look at themselves before blaming others.

It was also raised that corruption should not be treated as a motherhood issue, but as political issue, a concrete problem needing political solutions.

It was also pointed out that in the recent report of Transparency International, two past Philippines presidents were among the ten most corrupt in the world. And most of these ten were backed by U.S. administrations at the peak of their power.

Also, the role of media in exposing curruption so that the public may know was identified as very important in the fight against corruption.

Highlight of the event was the presentations of two speakers: Marvin Bionat, Founder/Moderator of Talsik, an anti-corruption network with thousands of members around the world. A holder of a Master of Liberal Arts degree, Major in Government, from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts & Science from the University of San Agustin and Ateneo University, Bionat gave an overview of the costs of corruption in the Philippines and worldwide, with the aid of film clips and statistical data.
Bionat defined corruption as the misuse of official power for personal gain. He said this could take the form of using government funds and other resources for personal purposes. He also presented corruption as a formula: C= M+D-A, meaning, corruption equals monopoly plus discretion minus accountability.

To give an idea as to how destructive corruption is to world economy, Bionat said the cost of corruption worldwide is 1.5 trillion dollars. He added that 20% of government funds goes to corrupt public officials.

He said there are two ways to fight corruption: by executive resolve, and the other, by citizen resolve.

Connie Sorio of the Philippine Network for Justice and Peace, emphasized that corruption, being a political issue, is mainly the responsibility of the government, it having the machinery and the resources to deal with the problem. The problem, however, is when government itself is corrupt. She reminded people that elections in the Philippine involves guns, goons and gold.

Sorio said that the reason why there is no Filipino term for corruption is because it was a colonial concept practised by the Philippine colonizers. She cited one instance of such blatant corruption in the sale of the Philippines by Spain to the Americans for $20 million, even when the Filipinos had already won against Spanish colonial rule.

The three pillars of corruption in Philippine society were identified as political patronage, the bureaucratic infrasturcutre which actually encourages corruption, and the cultural infrastructure typified by the “utang na loob” mentality.

The meeting proceeded to a discussion of specific steps that the group could take to fight corruption. Suggestions included the creation of a non-government organization with resources based in North America which will become active in fighting graft and corruption in the Philippines.

It was noted that since corruption is usually the doing of those in power, people should not be cowed or intimidated into remaining silent, but should speak up to expose and oppose corruption, or at least support the people that openly do so through protest rallies and demonstrations.

Another suggestion was to create conflict of interest guidelines for political candidates, and to make sure these guidelines could be enforced; another was to propose bills similar to Canada, such as candidates being allowed to run without personal funds but through transparent contributions. An observation was made that there are already existing relevant provisions in the current Omnibus Election Law, but which are not being enforced.

The importance of relying on the power of an informed citizenry to fight corruption was emphasized. So is the need to pursue a relentless educational campaign against corruption, and by making use of the media in disseminating information. Another suggestion was to start with youth and using the Internet to get young people and others involved in the fight against corruption. Two existing electronic anti-corruption networks were introduced: www.talsik.com, and www.ibon.org.

Before the meeting was concluded, participants expressed the need to continue to encourage Filipinos in Toronto to discuss corruption issues and to be vigilant in exposing corruption cases. It was also expressed that the gains of the forum be followed through, to avoid the unfortunate “ningas cogon” syndrome, in the fight against corruption.

The forum was a joint project of the Parents & Youths, Families and Friends in Action (PYFFA) led by Terry Olayta; Knights of Rizal headed by Canada Commander Lapulapu Cana; Philippine Independence Day Council led by Pempe Saavedra; Gene Lara of NDP; Connie Sorio of Philippine Network for Justice & Peace; Ma. Deanna Santos of Centre for Equity and Human Rights – York University; Levi Frias of Filipinos Promoting Justice Restoration; Philippine Chamber of Commerce led by Rafael Nebres, president; and several other community organizations.

One solution proposed was to compare the Philippine corruption situation with those of other countries in the world, and to learn from the various methods used to get rid of the problem.
(With notes by Ma. Deanna Santos of Centre for Equity and Human Rights-York University.)