REACTION PAPER: CAN WE WIN THE FIGHT AGAINST GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION?

According to Merriam’s-Webster Dictionary, corruption is the dishonest or illegal behavior

especially by powerful people. This definition says it all. Government corruption is an illegal act which we
cannot stop, nowadays. Evidently, such very rampant social problem is a problem even when the
colonizers of our country are still here. From the highest officials to the lowest positioned leaders, bribery
and graft endures time and generations up until now. Saddened by this fact, I cannot imagine how these
officials withstand their conscience having seen economies flunk, millions of Filipinos starving, and the
country’s demoralized image in the world.

The World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009 concluded that companies
have identified corruption as their number one concern for doing business in the Philippines, and bribery
appears to be an increasing problem for companies. This is very alarming because businesses are the
blood of our economy. If we do not stop corruption, how can we move on from being a Third World
country to a developed one? This only show that the social problem like this is the major reason why we
are still on the bottom of improved countries in the international market. Legal laws like getting business
licenses and permits and illegally avoiding taxes and punishments are hidden by red tapes, bribery and
corruption in government systems and procedures. I totally condemn this kind of culture even if I can
benefit from it because we disrespect not only the law but our own country as well. Philippines is a very
beautiful country with all the resources and all but we cannot realize that because we do not feel how
rich it is. We are being bullied by other countries by colonizing our properties and yet we cannot do
anything about it. Why? Because of corruption. If we have a clean government system, business will go
here in the Philippines, our economy will grow, and eventually, poverty can be reduce.

“Corruption is one of the root cause of poverty.” I have heard many claims like this and I agree
with this statement. Without corruption, our economy, as I mentioned earlier, can grow little by little,
thus empowering unemployed Filipinos. When these people find jobs, they create industries that will
create more business, hence, creating more and more jobs in the long run. Admittedly, I really can’t
manage to imagine this utopia with the current situation we have in our country. How can we make
people find jobs if the government do not provide all the support that we deserve? How can we make
improvements in our educational system if the money to be use supposedly for buying books and paying
competent teachers are in private banks of corrupt officials? How are going to say that we can produce
competent graduates if we do not have the budget for making the education for the youth free? It is so
frustrating to realize these things while those officials do not have even a single ounce of conscience to
realize how miserable our country right now. While children are in streets begging for food and money,
disabled people become more dejected, and illiterate youth become more unwise, leaders and officials
unlawfully stealing bags and bags of money which originally came from the blood and sweat of employed
Filipinos hoping for the betterment of our country. I admit that poverty is not their entire fault but can
you imagine how the growth of our country can accelerate if corruption is eliminated? It’s like freeing the
cage of hell.

The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) warns Philippines that it will remove
our country from membership if our corruption level in the next five years. We should be alarmed with
this threat but I am a little glad that UN made this kind of warning. Our country needs a little eye-opening
event that will make officials realize that what they are doing wounds the name of our mother land very
deeply. As perceived with this threat, our country is being demoralized in the international world. We
seems to be merely entertainers and domestic slaves in other countries’ eyes because almost all world
renown Filipinos are popular not because something was contributed to a certain field of study but
because we are great singers, dancers, and hardworking workers. I am dismayed with this reality because
I believe that Filipinos are more than that. Many of us are intelligent, however, we are not trained and
skillful enough because we lack the proper education and trainings just because most of us are poor and
cannot afford to go to school. Many opportunities are being wasted just because many are discouraged
to take a big step on their career for the fear of discrimination and racial biases in other countries. It’s a
big disappointment for us that Philippines seems to be the working capital of the world because most
domestic helpers from all over the world came from our country. We are demoralized, discriminated, and
bullied. I know we deserve more than this. I believe we deserve to be treated justly and morally because
we are Filipinos and we should be really proud of being one. Unfortunately, because of corruption, we
missed those opportunities, condemn ourselves, and restrict ourselves from growth and improvement.

All problems have solutions. Just like others, I’m still positive that we can get right through
corruption if we all do the right and just thing. Fighting a century-old problem is hard but if we all pledge
to commit ourselves to the mission, I believe we can reduce if not eliminate corruption in our system and
our culture. It is in our own hands to dictate what our future will be, so let’s start by being honest and
respectful in obeying our laws and regulations. Little by little, these changes will make the betterment of
our country possible, attainable and realizable.