Philippine politics has always been a form of business- business that aims to get maximum profit even at the expense of the majority’s interest. Profit, however, does not only mean money alone, but anything generated for personal ends, be it power, privilege, or prestige.
Sadly, a position in the government agency has been one of the most effective avenues for absorption of greatest gain. Most of our public officials actually concentrate and dedicate their civic occupations on their personal desires, instead of focusing their attention on public service. This is very blatant these days as we normally read cases of political corruption on daily periodicals, or as it is usually what the news reporter tells us. It seems to be normal and ordinary if they are corrupt and money-driven.
Profit-orientedness of political leaders seems to be a natural part of politics. It does not seem to be surprising that politicians chose things that best support their interests. As business aims to get maximum profit and sustain it, so does politics. This profit-oriented business strategy is usually in the form of corruption.
Getting maximum profit. Ranking as one of the most corrupt governments in the world, the Philippine government has been a reservoir of corrupt officials. President Ejersito Estrada was the tenth most corrupt leader in the world, while President Ferdinand Marcos was third. Almost every president has his/her own corruption scandal, like President Gloria Arroyo who has been involved in the ZTE deal. However, this is not only common in the presidency, but also even in the lowest offices in the barangay like the Sangguniang Kabataan. These officials from the upper class tend to get richer and richer while commoners suffer more.
Example of this is the local government in Pampanga. When Ed Panlilio, an on-leave priest who aimed to clean the corrupt system in the local government, won as governor and defeated the Lapids(political family who were actively involved in jueteng), the secrets of corruption from the previous regime was exposed. Before Panlilio became governor, only 121 million pesos in a range of five years was raised from quarry tax. However, during Gov. Panlilio’s term, 231 million pesos was earned by the local government in just one year. This was about ten times bigger than the original amount collected!
Furthermore, corruption somehow becomes a need for some politicians nowadays. For them to have enough funds for their projects, they have to be closely connected to the sources of funds which are the higher officials. But for them to be connected, they must learn to be flexible with their values and do what the higher officials (who are usually corrupt and evil) are doing and try to belong. Most of the time, this means entertaining corruption as well.
For example, congressmen who voted to impeach GMA suffered lack of funds because the Malacanang refused to release Community Development Fund for their district. Because of this, they were forced to spend their personal savings to give to those citizens who turned to them for help. They were neither able to make significant projects for their district. When next election came, some of them did not have enough money for campaign, and many of them lost. This example only shows the need of political connection to high ranking leaders even with corrupt ones.
Sustaining the profit. Aside from getting the most of it, sustenance of their career and position is also a major concern of every politician. Most of them choose projects that are more visible than those that are more significant. For example, one congressman from Luzon rejected the proposal of giving scholarships to TESDA students. Instead, he promoted a candle-making project since it would involve more participation from a lot of locals. With this, he would impress majority of the people thereby heightening his chances of winning for the next elections. Welfare for the community is then sacrificed for personal gain.
Like business, politics also needs investment. Candidates are willing to spend so much for campaigns in order to get a win, for from this big investment comes bigger profit in the future. Unfortunately, the profit they would be getting would come from the pockets of the taxpayers.
Moreover, seeing political families dominate offices is no longer surprising. These elite have to protect their interests and sustain or increase the profit that they have been getting from the public.
Corruption and maintaining political status has been a game mastered by almost every politician. It is something natural in every leader of our nation. It is there. It has already become a part of the system. Personal gain. Profit-orientedness. Business. Politics. They go together.
The essence of leadership is now lost. Self is prioritized over service. The culture of bayanihan has already been erased in the minds of Filipino leaders and replaced with motives of selfishness and greed. Business-like politics has always been the trend of leadership.
GOVERNMENT POSITION for POLITICAL CORRUPTION. PUBLIC OFFICE for PRIVATE PROFIT.
Ar-J Louie B. Felipe
POSC1-X
