Editorial

Stopping corruption

Time and again the issue on corruption has continued to plague our society. Several groups have been created to fight corruption but it seems nothing could be done about it. Still, the Philippines is included in the list of the most corrupt countries in the world.

This sad reality prompted Pres. Arroyo to pronounce recently that she will clear the country of corruption before her three year term ends.

The question is, how will she do that?

Corruption is as ubiquitous as the number of officials we have. Moreover as industrialist Jose Concepcion Jr. puts it, it is already embedded in the system. So, how do we eradicate corruption?

Ironically, the Arroyo administration now is being accused of large scale corruption. All sorts of anomalous transactions have been hurled against the administration. As they say it is everybody's game in the administration. If this is true, how could we stop something which is embraced by no less than the highest officials of the land?

Sounds hopeless? No, we are just bringing up the reality.

Other countries that have worst situation before have recovered. It's just a matter of political will, which should start from the top, on the part of our officials and cooperation on all the citizens of our country. Let's all do our share, however small it is, to lessen if not totally stop corruption in our midst.

Look, if not for corruption the government could have effectively delivered all the basic services needed by its people. As it is now, billions of pesos supposedly intended for government projects go to the pockets of some unscrupulous individuals because of corruption. So, all of us must do our share while it is not yet too late.