A corruption free government is the dream for most of us
Filipinos.
How many years have passed we have not seen an
administration where there is no anomaly during their stint in power.
A radical
change is needed to put an end to corruption in government, this was the
declaration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte after showing his frustrations
over dishonest dealings/transactions in the bureaucracy.
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| (photo credit to owner) |
“The way the bureaucracy is set up, it is really conducive
to or for corruption to thrive. Ganun ang Pilipinas,” Duterte said in his
remarks. “You would need a radical change overnight if you want corruption to
stop,” he added.
He gave them a stern
warning to government employees not be involved in graft and corruption.
“Now, for being like (Adolf) Hitler, ah I have said kasi
sinabi ko na sa inyo, ‘huwag.’ Sinabi ko na sa lahat sa gobyerno, ‘huwag.’ Kaya
kung pumasok ka diyan, I’m sorry. It is your headache not mine,” he said.
Duterte tells the story that 2 illegal transactions in one
day almost made him resign – this was the Nayong Pilipino lease deal with a
casino developer and the ghost delivery of medicines in the military hospital.
He continues to tell the crowd, how he told a group of
military and police officials that he was “very sad” to learn about the
irregular transactions especially with respect to medicines intended for
soldiers.
“In my exasperation, I said you know I am really very
tired. I think my mindset now cannot absorb so much of this. And so I said I
would like to offer to you my resignation,” he explains.
The President said kicking out of government those corrupt
public officials, there is also a need to reduce red tape in government
transactions and a fast delivery of service must always be ensured.
One concrete example is when the President instructed the Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to streamline procedures on land use conversion after
learning some applications were delayed for two years.
DAR hasis known to have a tedious procedures to be followed
on land conversion. When a presentation was shown to the President, he comments
that such clearance process practically included all government departments
except the Department of Foreign of Affairs.
“With those requirements you will ensure corruption and it
would come naturally and automatic,” Duterte said, adding such long list of
clearances would take the applicant two to three years to complete.
Custom of “under the table”
The President is disappointed that Filipinos are compelled
to pay bribes just to fast track processing of their applications or permits.
“Ang problema nito, every table diyan sa opisina ayaw kong
mag-mention kasi lahat — ‘pag may fino-follow up ka, basta clearance — basta
clearance or a certification from this office, they simply sit on it at
pabalik-balikin ‘yung tao until a fixer could whisper na, “bayaran mo na lang.”
Ganun ang buhay ng Pilipino [The problem is every table in offices, I don’t
want to mention any, if you follow up on a clearance or certification from this
office, they simply sit on it. They ask the person to come back and forth until
a fixer would whisper, ‘Just pay for it.’ That’s the way of life of the
Filipino],” he said.
Public should do its part
As there are programs , laws and regulations are placed to
address graft and corruption, the public must also do its part – that is by
reporting any irregularity in any government office. The President reiterates
again his readiness to receive any complaints at any time of the day.
“They have standing order na maski anong oras gisingin ako.
‘Pag agrabiyado ka sa tao at kinalkal ang ano, report mo sa akin,” he said.
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Report from Manila Bulletin
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