CASE ANALYSIS ON GRAFT AND CORRUPTION IN THE PHILIPPINES

I. Viewpoint – Government of the Republic of the Philippines

II. Time Context – Five years

III. Statement of the Problem – How can we eradicate graft and corruption?

IV. Statement of Objective – This study aims to provide recommendations on how to get rid of
graft and corruption in the Philippines on a scale that can be related to by the majority.

V. Alternative Courses of Action

a. ACA I – To include a Philippine Constitution subject in Secondary Education

Education is definitely one of the most effective tools against corruption. Including
Philippine Constitution in Secondary Education curriculum would help students develop
critical thinking especially about social issues. A well-educated electorate has a high
probability of being able to choose the most qualified leaders.

As further proof, the data below show that countries with high corruption index are also
those that have high education index.

100 1
90 0.9
80 0.8
70 0.7
60 0.6
50 0.5
40 0.4
30 0.3
20 0.2
10 0.1
0 0

Corruption Index Education Index

 Corruption Education
Country
Index Index
New Zealand 91 0.917
Denmark 91 0.873
Finland 89 0.815
Norway 86 0.910
Switzerland 85 0.844
Philippines 36 0.610
Algeria 36 0.643
Bolivia 34 0.674
El Salvador 38 0.553
Nigeria 25 0.425

b. ACA II – To implement programs for protection of whistleblowers and exit opportunities

for offenders

Ensuring the protection of whistleblowers would encourage the citizenry to be proactive

in reporting misconduct. The best sample for this would be the passage of Whistleblower
Protection Act of 2017. Exit opportunities would also instigate those who are currently
part of malpractices to stop and amend their ways.

The Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 provides, among others, “Reinstatement of the
whistleblower or employee to the same position held before the retaliatory action was
commenced, or to an equivalent position or reasonable front pay as alternative relief.”

c. ACA III – To re-examine existing laws against corruption and have strict enforcement of
such laws

i. Re-examination of current anti-graft and corruption laws is needed to remove

duplication and to ensure that these are accepted by the public. To cite an
example, because of the current approach regarding conflicts of interest, the
government is unable to hire a top businessman for a department that requires
it. This could in turn deny the government valuable human resources.

ii. Strict and equal enforcement of laws must always be applied. We must also be
aware that the citizenry expects that there is more strictness for officials on
higher positions and those close to them.

d. ACA IV – To increase resources of anti-graft bodies such as the Ombudsman and

Sandiganbayan

Guardians against graft and corruption should be given enough funds and resources for
them to do their jobs. They should be provided with competitive income, high-tech
devices, and other necessary equipment. This may be questionable for the public since
 these agencies’ results would not be fast, but this is an investment that the country would
benefit from in the long run.

e. ACA V – To provide merits for civil servants who perform exceptionally well

Giving merits or incentives has already been proven to encourage employees to do better
in their jobs. Also, well-paid and well-recognized employees tend to maintain their
integrity at all times.

f. ACA VI – To amend the Constitution such that the standards for public officials will be
higher

This is to eliminate or reduce the possibility of having leaders who won just because the
electorate was basically left with no choice but to take the “lesser evil.” Making sure that
the people running for public office have met higher standards, there is lesser chance that
graft and corruption will take place under their watch.

VI. Decision Matrix

ACA I ACA II ACA III ACA IV ACA V ACA VI

Effectiveness 3 3 5 5 4 4
Efficiency 3 4 4 4 4 3
Timeliness 4 4 4 4 4 2
Feasibility 5 5 3 4 5 3
Total 15 16 16 17 17 12

Based on the decision matrix above, we would like to recommend the following for
elimination of graft and corruption:
 To increase resources of anti-graft bodies such as the Ombudsman and
Sandiganbayan
 To provide merits for civil servants who perform exceptionally well

VII. Plan of Action

Activities In Charge Budget Remarks

Research about nations that
rank high in this index can
serve as the standard to Adopt their frameworks. Ex. is
5,000,000
emulate with regard to Singapore's anti-corruption measures
maintaining an effective
anti-corruption measure.
Form a Technical Working
Group composed of
specialists, scholars, and Office of the
20,000,000
officials from anti-corruption Ombudsman
agencies and branches of
the government.
Include laws and other
measures to empower Includes: Salary increase, protection,
institutions and agencies 10,000,000 privileges that may deem suitable but
that stands firm against not questionable
corruption
Submit proposals / finalized
TWG measures to the senate The process should be public and
10,000,000
for the approval and transparent nationwide.
implementation.
Procurement of High-
Technologies that will aid the
monitoring and prevention Ombudsman and Procurement shall be audited by the
5,000,000
of corruption which will be Sandiganbayan COA
under the accountability of
anti-corruption bodies.
Conduct awards and
recognition ceremonies to Various To be able to create unimpeachable
these entities to boost their departments integrity to these people.
will in fighting corruption.