Increased Vigilance

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) slammed the culture of corruption in the Philippines. A senior prelate identified three main sources of public disservice, such as, debt payment allocation, pork barrel for Malacañang and legislators and the Armed Forces. Ultimately, it makes the public its poor victims.

In the Malaya, a local newspaper, January 31, 2008 issue, government officials according to Lingayen-Dagupan Archisbishop Oscar Cruz, former CBCP president, continue to exert efforts to make their pockets fatter. Cruz further said, it is lamentable that the country has been paying loads and loads of taxes that are being consumed only by “few fortunate” in the government. The general public only pays taxes, the government spends them. That is all people do and can do unless they get rid of the Arroyo Administration.

Also, despite the amount of money spent in paying international debts, only the interest on the payables are being settled. The pork barrel of lawmakers and Malacañang continue to get bigger and bigger, thus making available to them more money for corruption. It could not be understood why the budget of the AFP is so big, “as if the country is at perpetual war with itself.”

The CBCP said corruption has become the greatest shame of the people and it is saddening that it is slowly becoming accepted by the Filipinos as an innate part of Philippine politics.

In view thereof, the people should be the first in safeguarding government resources and its operations. The problem of graft and corruption that continuously plaque the economies of nations is a great challenge, that each individual must be vigilant and address said problem seriously by reporting all acts of abuses either through the media or independent groups.

As a citizen, one should continue to endeavor for vigilance and awareness of what is happening in every government operations. Each and every individual must resolve to be more vigilant, watchful, and more responsive to the loud call to put an end to graft and corruption in the government by those unscrupulous and corrupt public officials and employees from the highest to the lowest ranks.

We must be incessant in our crusade and keep the burning torch to keep the country's resources safe and protected from the arrays of fraud, wastage, and abuse. The public must have a watchful eye and consistently remain steadfast and strong as an effective guardian of the government as its share in nation-building.

As our country is now burdened with fraud and wastage, coupled with abuse of power and questionable integrity, it is of paramount importance that the citizens foremost, should continue to keep its barrels up and eyes widely open anchored on moral principles to ensure that nothing eludes the needle's eye of public scrutiny.

The collective efforts and binding principles of the people will craft the true tenets of commitment and dedication of our governing bodies. It is thus extremely significant to include that with the continuous vigilance of the people, the country will be insulated from fraud, wastage and abuse brought about by the unseen forces of credulity among the grudges of political uncertainty.

In the light of this call, the people should continue soaring for greater challenges and not be afraid in taking steps to totally eradicate acts of corruption, abuse and theft. I therefore invoke everyone to keep the torch alight with passion and zeal in fortifying the foundation of a strong nation by fighting grafters and incarcerating them. Vigilance and prompt action is the answer. Responsible people power is still the strongest weapon in every society in fighting crooked and dishonest public officials and employees.