[Required Entry #8] - Cause and Effect

Cause: Corruption in the Philippines

According to a study conducted by World Bank (in year 2006), corruption in the Philippines is considered to be the worst in the region of East Asia and the Pacific. Why does this very cruel act seem to be an untreatable endemic disease in our country and what are the possible causes of it?

Except from the Philippine President’s, the normal monthly salaries of government officials lie below the range of an amount of fifty-thousand Pesos. With such information, we can derive that some of them tend to perform the devilish act of corrupting for their self-interests. For example, one candidate would run for the position of a Mayor in a city. Being a realist based on the current situation of our country, he would then probably spend millions of Pesos just to win the election. Is the reason behind aiming for this position really focus on purely serving his fellowmen? Or maybe it has something to do with his self-interests to somehow draw the money he spent on the previous election or even gain more (including power) through his businesses in the scope of the city?

Aside from those previous reasons, corruption is also caused by our country itself. We do not have an effective justice implementation in our country or even a strict law that extensively monitor those people in their positions. With this condition, they can easily do what they want.

Another serious thing is regarding the involvement of small public workers (like city engineers, public accountants, treasurers, et. al) to the corruption happening in our country. One of the main reasons behind this is also because of their insufficient salaries for their family. In addition, some of the high-positioned government officials are making collaboration with them to get large amount of “kick-backs” ,usually because of their non-terminating self-interests.

Yes, those are all indeed happening to our wretched country. Vast bribery, extensive corruption, pervasive fraud, heinous crime, and a lot more! But are we just going to watch the weakening flame of the candle in front of us? Of course, our response there is a big no.

“You are here to make a difference, to either improve the world or worsen it. And whether or not you consciously choose to, you will accomplish one or the other.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year

*Photos above are retrieved from Google*