RP 4th CORRUPT COUNTRY IN ASIA; INDONESIA MOST CORRUPT
MANILA, MARCH 11, 2010 (MALAYA) Polls, culture blamed for RP’s corruption.MALACAÑANG yesterday blamed Filipino culture and the election season for the Philippines’ showing in the recent Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) survey on the most corrupt Asia-Pacific economies.
The Philippines, with a grade of 8.06, deteriorated from sixth place last year to fourth this time, behind Indonesia (9.27), Cambodia (9.1), and Vietnam (8.07). Businessmen interviewed by PERC ranked Indonesia as the most corrupt economy.
With zero as the least corrupt, Hong Kong-based PERC said the cleanest economies are: Singapore (1.42); Australia (2.28); and Hong Kong (2.67); United States (3.42); Japan (3.49); Macau (4.96); South Korea (5.98); Taiwan (6.28); Malaysia (6.47); China (6.52); India (7.18); and Thailand (7.60).
Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said corruption is an "old, old problem" rooted in the Filipino culture. "Ang corruption, that is an old, old problem. It is a problem in our culture, di lang institution, pati kultura natin sa pulitika at civic life," he said.
He said government has already instituted reforms in the procurement system and has given the Office of the Ombudsman a bigger budget to deal with graft cases.
"We do our share and we hope the next administration will continue the job. It is not a question of institutions and process. Ang pag-iisip at kultura natin kailangan magbago over time," he said.
Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said the PERC survey is based only on perception and "perception surveys do not give a true picture of actual conditions on the ground." He said the respondents are also different per country.
Saludo said government agencies, local governments and anti-graft watchdogs should redouble their efforts to communicate their initiatives against corruption, including anti-red tape measures and the appointment of civil society observers in government procurement bodies.
Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) chair Constancia de Guzman blamed the drop in the Philippines’ ratings to mudslinging during the election period. "Tayo ay nasa panahon ng eleksyon at sikat na sikat ang mudslinging. Di ko malaman bakit ito ginagamit nila na walang basehan sa ibang allegation ng corruption. Pag ito binanggit iba ang pananaw ng tao akala nila gospel truth ito," she said in a radio interview.
She said President Arroyo’s critics may not realize that they are giving the country a bad impression.
De Guzman said she is coordinating with Civil Service Commission chairman Francisco Duque III to promote honesty and other positive values in government service. – Regina Bengco
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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