By SEN. EDGARDO J. ANGARA
A REPORT by the Transparency International reveals that corruption has greatly held back efforts towards achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). Where there are more corrupt practices, there is less progress on education (MDG2), maternal health (MDG5), and access to clean water (MDG7).
In the 2009 Corruption Perception Index, the Philippines ranked 139th out of 180 countries. The survey was topped by New Zealand, Denmark and Singapore as the countries with the least corruption. Our neighbors Thailand (84th), Indonesia (111th), and Malaysia (56th) have overtaken us. In the region, we only bested Timor-Leste (146th), Cambodia (158th), and Myanmar (178th).
The fight against corruption is a continuous struggle and is not limited by borders or cultures. That is the rationale behind the Global Organization of Parliamentarians against Corruption (GOPAC). As the only Asian representative in GOPAC’s Executive Board, I took the lead in organizing the regional chapter, the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians against Corruption (SEAPAC) in 2005.
By linking with other parliaments, we build a strategy to combat corruption on an international level, while making a pact to fight corruption in each of our own governments and societies.
Strengthening institutions and enhancing governance mechanisms must be hallmark of every democratic system. This is where we, as parliamentarians, have the best chance to contribute. Parliamentarians are in the best position to ensure institutional integrity. We achieve this by crafting effective sanction policies through the passage of laws. In this sense we plot, not just track, our national anti-corruption agendas.
Of course, we should also go beyond merely crafting legislation. Our capacity to ensure institutional integrity requires that we monitor the implementation of these laws.
This coming Thursday, September 30, GOPAC’s Task Force on the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) will hold a two-day meeting in Manila. At the same time, SEAPAC will hold its Regional Meeting and discuss a plan of action for anti-corruption in the region. This is very much in tune with the Aquino administration’s current flagship program of anti-corruption.
High on the agenda is equipping lawmakers with tools to implement the UNCAC. The UNCAC, which the Philippines ratified in 2006, is the first international legally binding anti-corruption tool which obliges countries to implement changes in laws and institutions.
Corruption is a real obstacle to development and directly affects our people. On the other hand, putting in place anti-corruption and good governance mechanisms – like transparency, accountability, and integrity – have huge payoffs. Elimintating corruption through oversight institutions and legal frameworks – and ensuring their effective enforcement – will aid economic growth and bring back public trust in institutions.
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