My friend #datachimp and I had another short discussion on Signal about what really ails our country. We came to the conclusion it’s the socio-political structure post-Marcos.
Think about it. Historians have told us about what took place during the faux “revolution” of 1898. It was actually 1896 which Andres Bonifacio led. A case of historical revisionism? You tell me.
The only time we had another “revolution” was 1986. Faux or not? You tell me.
We both didn’t live through during Marcos’ election in 1965. I was born in 1966. #datachimp is only turning 36 this year. Go figure. There is a 30 year age gap between the two of us since I’m turning 56. Yet, why is it we mostly agree on the politics of reform?
The short answer is nobody has ever been sincere about reform which easily translates to minimizing corruption.
Think about it. Who Presidential candidate for 2022 has a plan?
Corruption is pervasive in government. Think about it. Constitutional bodies are immune from prosecution. Why? There is the Civil Service Code which institutionlalizes it. This is where the “you’re only good for your term” mindset comes about. It’s also why every candidate makes a promise to “eradicate” but not “minimize” corruption, fails.
Duterte made this a campaign promise but failed. “I will eradicate corruption in six months” or words to that effect. What we got is a commitment to fire those who are associated with even a “whiff” of corruption. Proof? Duterte will not graduate with his Cabinet intact unlike PNoy.
Of all the Presidential candidates, who has made corruption a priority if ever he or she wins the Presidency?
Only Senator Ping Lacson.
Lacson has spent most of his years in the Senate fighting for budget reform. The pork barrel, by whatever name, is institutionalized by the Congressmen and those in the bureaucracies of the cash-rich government departments and agencies. How can you catch these thieves when they have the power to cover their tracks because of bureaucratic control? It’s not easy building a case because the layers of protection are institutionalized and there are very few whistle-blowers willing to risk their lives.
Even if cases are filed, the courts take forever to resolve them. Those found guilty may have already died when the judgment becomes final and executory after going through the appeals system, all the way to the Supreme Court.
You can’t fire the bureaucracy en masse either. Any attempt to remove those who are guilty will only result in counter-cases being filed. Voluntary retirement is also not feasible because of the cost and the inability of government to attract top talent because of the salary grade system which is based on credentials than actual work experience.
Downsizing the bureaucracy requires a change in political structure. This can be done through charter change but it will take a huge amount of political will and capital to get it done. The Senators would definitely be against their body’s abolition but the bicameral legislative system itself is the cause of bottlenecks. Each law has a Senate and House version. The two have to be reconciled. The process is tedious.
The passage of RA 11032 or The Ease of Doing Business Act has had little impact on minimizing or eliminating red tape. Just try transacting with an LGU or a national government agency or department and you will be frustrated beyond belief.
Senator Ping proposes the digitization of the government bureaucracy to minimize corruption and finally achieve inter-operability between the various government departments and agencies. This combined with the implementation of the National ID system would definitely increase the efficiency of delivery of service to the public.
Thus far, Lacson is the only candidate who has presented the public with his governance platform and an integrated strategy to minimize, if not eliminate, corruption and increased efficiency in the utilization of the national budget. All of the other candidates have just the usual motherhood statements about the issue.
The digitization strategy ensures the economy remains open despite limited mobility whenever there are outbreaks such as the one we’re in the middle of again. It gives the public unfettered access to national and local government services in the safety of their homes and allows them to telecommute or work from home.
The 2022 political exercise is crucial to the country and its citizens. It’s high-time that voters elect public officials based on their platforms and not popularity or opting for the sentimental favorite.
We need an integrated strategy for the challenges we face brought about by the disruption caused by the pandemic. The minimization of corruption means more funds are available for public services which is what government is all about.
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