By Ernesto T. Solidum
The on – going government crackdown against corrupt officials in the defense, finance and public works departments deserve the highest accolade and support. They are aptly called economic saboteurs that sap the strength and vitality of the nation. It is hard to believe that lifestyle checks of some key public officials would reveal assets amounting to multi million pesos manifested as luxury cars, condominiums, dollar bank accounts and choice real estates. That these were acquired in a brief span of time victimizing the recipients for whom the projects are intended and the taxpayers from whom money was collected. Hence, prostituting the government service.
Section 1 of Implementing Rules of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) mentions that “the State shall promote a standard of ethics (not lifestyle) in public service. Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence and loyalty; act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives and uphold public interest over personal interest.”
Curiously, flag ceremony ritual executed by government employees weekly includes above all pledge of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines. But, how many of those concerned take to heart the noble intention and aspirations that a public officer will honestly and unselfishly serve his countrymen? How many have actually gone out of their way to welcome and inquire their office guests/visitors to assist them of their problem out of simple courtesy? This campaign on office courtesy is waged by Civil Service Commission in the mid 1980’s. Presently too bad this “Mamamayan Muna, Hindi Mamaya Na” has fizzled out and a big failure..
The World Bank reported that 30 percent of our annual budget is lost due to graft. This means that 1.3 million government employees are prime suspects. They are subjects to methodical lifestyle check based on physical assets and countrystyle living as against declared assets and liabilities. It appears that the Office of Ombudsman is found wanting in its job. At least the Estrada graft case is languishing since 2001. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Grafters/crooks and all forms of corruptions have multiplied in recent years as underpaid government employees have to cope with rising cost of living. In rural areas, a head of family needs to earn at least P9,000/ month to be above the poverty level. For a school teacher receiving P10,000/month with net take home pay is only P8,275 hence, falling into the poverty trap. Public perception is that jueteng, prostitution and illegal drugs proliferate simply because politicians and law enforcers connive in perfect silence.
This is corroborated in a report in poverty stricken Southeastern Anhue province of China in 1994. With a population of 56 million, 300,000 of its civil servants were found guilty of embezzling money from government coffers. Punishments included public execution, harsh imprisonment and fines. Corruption comes with power. The more a person has, the more he can be corrupted and in big amounts.
It is underscored that there still exist a remnant of civil servants untainted by graft. They are the unsung heroes, those whose moral integrity and honesty are above par. However, due to economic and political considerations a thorough house cleaning is in order. Pressing need is to remove the misfits and bad eggs in the bloated bureaucracy. Thereafter, must be a moral regeneration drive on Filipino values and commitment to the ideal. /MP
Section 1 of Implementing Rules of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) mentions that “the State shall promote a standard of ethics (not lifestyle) in public service. Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence and loyalty; act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives and uphold public interest over personal interest.”
Curiously, flag ceremony ritual executed by government employees weekly includes above all pledge of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines. But, how many of those concerned take to heart the noble intention and aspirations that a public officer will honestly and unselfishly serve his countrymen? How many have actually gone out of their way to welcome and inquire their office guests/visitors to assist them of their problem out of simple courtesy? This campaign on office courtesy is waged by Civil Service Commission in the mid 1980’s. Presently too bad this “Mamamayan Muna, Hindi Mamaya Na” has fizzled out and a big failure..
The World Bank reported that 30 percent of our annual budget is lost due to graft. This means that 1.3 million government employees are prime suspects. They are subjects to methodical lifestyle check based on physical assets and countrystyle living as against declared assets and liabilities. It appears that the Office of Ombudsman is found wanting in its job. At least the Estrada graft case is languishing since 2001. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Grafters/crooks and all forms of corruptions have multiplied in recent years as underpaid government employees have to cope with rising cost of living. In rural areas, a head of family needs to earn at least P9,000/ month to be above the poverty level. For a school teacher receiving P10,000/month with net take home pay is only P8,275 hence, falling into the poverty trap. Public perception is that jueteng, prostitution and illegal drugs proliferate simply because politicians and law enforcers connive in perfect silence.
This is corroborated in a report in poverty stricken Southeastern Anhue province of China in 1994. With a population of 56 million, 300,000 of its civil servants were found guilty of embezzling money from government coffers. Punishments included public execution, harsh imprisonment and fines. Corruption comes with power. The more a person has, the more he can be corrupted and in big amounts.
It is underscored that there still exist a remnant of civil servants untainted by graft. They are the unsung heroes, those whose moral integrity and honesty are above par. However, due to economic and political considerations a thorough house cleaning is in order. Pressing need is to remove the misfits and bad eggs in the bloated bureaucracy. Thereafter, must be a moral regeneration drive on Filipino values and commitment to the ideal. /MP
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