You know, the newspaper is one of the best places to look if one really wants to understand just how deep this country's problems really go. And I don't mean the lead stories on the front page. I mean the little single-column articles about petty crimes and minor issues. This is where we can see all the flaws in the system, which unfortunately, don't seem to attract much attention. It's also where we see just how willing everyone seems to be to simply accept corruption as "just the way it is".
In the 30 May 05 edition of the Philippine Star there was an article entitled "Manila cops cry foul over illegal salary deductions". According to the story, the Comptroller for a Police District in Metro Manila routinely withholds a small amount (P30-40) from each paycheck or other monetary benefit received by each policeman. The reporter goes on to say that the deputy chief of the Comptroller Section admitted that "the deductions were meant as grease money to City Hall personnel to expedite the release of their monetary benefits". The deputy chief added that "it would take time before the police benefits are released from the City Hall unless the personnel there are treated to some perks".
I'm not trying to single out this particular person, but those statements show just how deeply entangled corruption is in Philippine society. And just how willing we are to accept it as normal. First of all, there is absolutely no form of legitimate administrative delay that can be overcome by paying "grease money". The only two possible ways that money can expedite an administrative process is (1) to skip a required step, or (2) if the process is being intentionally delayed for the purpose of encouraging payment. In both cases, a violation is being committed, if not an outright crime. And for the Philippine National Police, of all agencies, to accept this without question, really shows how far we have to go.
Things will never change in this country until people start taking responsibility. Crimes must be reported, even if you think nothing will happen. In this case, the unreasonable delays should be reported to higher levels in the PNP chain of command, and then across to the city government. It may sound naiive, but it has to start somewhere. Corruption is destroying this country, and the greatest threat comes from the thousands of relatively minor acts like this one, occurring every day in offices all over the country.
A collection of observations, discoveries, and general ramblings about Philippine politics and society, written by a guy who loves the country dearly -- in spite of the fact that it's slowly driving him crazy!
- accountability (10)
- citizenship (1)
- corruption (11)
- discipline (5)
- honor (8)
- insurgency (1)
- law enforcement (7)
- leadership (6)
- random (9)
- traffic (1)
"It's no use saying 'We are doing our best'. You have got to do what is necessary."
"Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."
"I cannot accept, your canon that we are to judge pope and king unlike other men, with a favorable presumption that they do no wrong. If there is any presumption, it is the other way against holders of power ... Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
"It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power."
"The government is the potent omnipresent teacher. For good or ill it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that the end justifies the means -- to declare that the government may commit crimes -- would bring terrible retribution."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing."
Winston Churchill
"Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."
Edmund Burke
"I cannot accept, your canon that we are to judge pope and king unlike other men, with a favorable presumption that they do no wrong. If there is any presumption, it is the other way against holders of power ... Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Lord Acton
"It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power."
David Brin
"The government is the potent omnipresent teacher. For good or ill it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that the end justifies the means -- to declare that the government may commit crimes -- would bring terrible retribution."
Justice Louis D. Brandeis
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke
