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The number of presidential appointees found involved in corruption
is higher in the current administration than in previous
governments, but this does not mean that the Gloria Arroyo
bureaucracy is more corrupt than earlier regimes.
This is the half-empty, half-full view of
Presidential Anti-graft Commission (PAGC) Chairman Connie de Guzman
on executive corruption. Many Filipinos will take exception to her
conclusion.
The Manila Times banner on November 22 confirmed
what the public has known all along—that graft is rampant. The
Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey of bureaucratic dishonesty in
2007 included the Office of the President and the Presidential
Anti-graft Commission among government institutions that have not
significantly abated graft in their premises and among the agencies
they supervise or oversee.
At a press briefing several days ago, Chairman
de Guzman reported that the number of miscreant presidential
appointees in the current administration has risen by 500 percent
“so far” compared to the figures during the rule of former
Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada.
The “stunningly” (we do not know if the
adjective comes from the chairman or our Palace reporter) high
number does not mean corruption has risen since 2001. It simply
means that the Anti-graft Commission has been more active,
persistent and successful in uncovering corruption in the executive
branch.
The commission, created by an executive order,
investigates complaints against presidential appointees. It submits
its findings and recommendations to the Office of the President
(read: Office of the Executive Secretary) for appropriate action.
In the past seven years 126 presidential
appointees were “sanctioned” by the Office of the President on
the Anti-graft Commission’s recommendation. Seventy-two were
dismissed, 25 suspended, 21 given “accessory” penalties and
eight were reprimanded. Compare this number to the 10 presidential
appointees sanctioned in the Ramos administration and the 11 during
the Estrada presidency.
The President of the Philippines appoints or
nominates Cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries, bureau directors,
heads of government-owned or controlled corporations, financial
institutions and other executives with Cabinet rank. This network
corresponds to the 700 federal offices in the United States “Blue
Book” whose heads President-elect Barak Obama will appoint to his
administration.
The Presidential Anti-graft Commission’s
jurisdiction leaves out a high number of assistant secretaries,
subcabinet executives and middle-level bureaucrats exercising major
responsibilities. The Anti-graft Commission’s limited mandate
fails to cover bureaucratic rot at this level.
If we play a favorite statistical game, 126
officials “sanctioned” from 2001 to 2008 averages out to 30
disciplinary actions a year. This does not square with official
records and anecdotal stories about misbehaving presidential
appointees. It may be that many complaints filed with the Anti-graft
Commission were baseless or questionable lifestyles have not been
reported to it.
Wrongdoing by officials enjoying the
President’s trust may also be explained by the lack of thorough
research into their past, personal life and public record. It is the
responsibility of Malacañang—with the help of the National Bureau
of Investigation and the Philippine National Police—to ensure the
probity, fitness for office and character of citizens enlisted to
serve the high echelons of government.
As we write this essay, Congress is assiduously
probing two big controversies, the Department of Agriculture
fertilizer-fund scam and the national police 105,000 euro scandal.
Simultaneously the House is reviewing the multi-dollar ZTE broadband
deal in relation to a fresh impeachment petition against Mrs.
Arroyo.
Congress is busier investigating anomalies than
making laws. The court dockets overflow with complaints dealing with
corruption. The Commission on Audit is neck-deep in cases involving
questionable biddings and suspicious spending. And what can we do
without the Office of the Ombudsman and the Presidential Anti-graft
Commission?
Commenting on another Social Weather Stations
survey on public pessimism and hopes for 2009, Sen. Mar Roxas said
that the cancer of corruption has weakened not only the economy but
also the national character. Buffeted by government graft and
partisan politics, Filipinos have begun to lose confidence in their
government and their future. Erosion in values and self-worth will
enfeeble the national spine and the people’s grip on the future,
the senator warned.
Duque on firecrackers
The first bang of the riotous New Year’s Eve
firecracker revelry exploded in October in a makeshift pyrotechnics
factory in Obando, Bulacan. Two weeks later, another explosion
rocked a backyard factory in the same town, injuring two workers and
sending them to the hospital for burn treatment.
Firecracker use will increase as the yuletide
season deepens. Random explosions are already a daily part of Metro
Manila’s sounds and sights.
We remember a time when we could hold a slim,
regular-sized lebentador without losing a finger. Today,
firecrackers have become dangerous weapons that could burn houses,
dismember limbs or kill merrymakers and onlookers.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd has advised
local governments to designate a common zone for fireworks use and
display to reduce injuries. The health boss said that despite a
significant reduction in accidents last year, the government and the
public could reduce injuries by giving up pyrotechnics or
designating a common area for their use.
The total firecracker-related injuries reported
from December 21, 2007 to January 5, 2008 is 18 percent lower than
the previous three years’ average. The five most harmful types
were the kuwitis, piccolo, lusis, the five-star and the whistlebomb.
Secretary Duque has asked retail stores not to
sell firecrackers to minors. He urges parents to make sure
firecrackers are out of children’s reach. The reason: 35 percent
of those injured last year were 10 years old and below.
The nations No. 1 doctor has other useful ideas.
He asked Congress to amend the law on crackers and pyrotechnics to
ensure public safety. He suggests reforms in the firecracker
business to upgrade occupational safety and health standards. He
expects rigid enforcement of zoning laws and greater vigilance from
the police. And asks parents, guardians and adults to keep
firecrackers away from children.
Deaths and property losses caused by
irresponsible fireworks display and firecracker use are costly. The
damage to the economy and the public safety is irreparable. Heeding
the Department of Health and reforming the firecracker industry will
help keep the holidays safer.
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