Yesterday, August 21, I attended EHEM! : An anti-corruption seminar here in XU organized by the Kristohanong Katilingbanon Pagpakabana-Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO) at AVR 3. The purpose of the seminar is to give a little background and concepts on the participants of the immensity of our problems on curtailing corruption. The highlighted concept of the seminar, which I believe summed up the whole day session, is the definition of corruption which says that any act of misusing and/or abusing of power for personal gain and interest which will result to the deprivation and suffering of others is a corruption in nature. Mr. Ermin Stan Pimentel, one of the speakers, said valiantly that in order for a corruption to be minimized, if not eradicate all, is that the counter corruption measures must first emanate within ourselves for corruption is becoming part of our lives,culture,and norms. Honestly, I can say that the anti corruption seminar I attended brought me to a new realm, new level of understanding of the deceptive quality of corruption. Before, my conception of corruption is only confined in the government agencies where the traces of corruption are prevalent at its massive scale. But, yesterday, I was informed that corruption can be seen in many ways even in our simple acts. What adds wonder to that seminar was that the participants, including myself,are very much aware of the form of corruption which is happening in our society and even in our school nowadays.
what went wrong?
After taking some time in pondering of what could be the manifestations to an act to be considered a corruption and how to put an end to this unnecessary and extravagant act, my framework of mind went wild to the most considered hotpot of corruption in the country which is the government. I learned in my history class, I hope my memory would not fail me, that the Philippines’ economy was the second fastest growing economy behind Japan in Asia during the pre-Marcos era. To think that we are behind Japan during that time was indeed an honor. Japan is a dynamic country with its rate of development faster than our mind can ever imagine. So the answers on the question on what happened later were really disturbing and regretful. The immortal word ‘if’ is the only thing that we can do. If we did not elect President Marcos, the country might continue to be an advancing economy and might surpass Japan’s feat for we are richer in terms of natural resources.
So corruption is the culprit?
Corruption is the major culprit of our sufferings presently. In the case of Marcos, he was a brilliant leader and a lawyer. But it just happened that he has misused or abused his power to advance his personal interest. I can still remember when Mrs. Marcos said that they virtually own the country.My first reaction was how it could be when we commonly inherited this country from our forefather.Only to find out that her husband has actually plundered the nation's wealth by depositing huge amount of money in foreign Swiss bank .
what went wrong?
After taking some time in pondering of what could be the manifestations to an act to be considered a corruption and how to put an end to this unnecessary and extravagant act, my framework of mind went wild to the most considered hotpot of corruption in the country which is the government. I learned in my history class, I hope my memory would not fail me, that the Philippines’ economy was the second fastest growing economy behind Japan in Asia during the pre-Marcos era. To think that we are behind Japan during that time was indeed an honor. Japan is a dynamic country with its rate of development faster than our mind can ever imagine. So the answers on the question on what happened later were really disturbing and regretful. The immortal word ‘if’ is the only thing that we can do. If we did not elect President Marcos, the country might continue to be an advancing economy and might surpass Japan’s feat for we are richer in terms of natural resources.
So corruption is the culprit?
Corruption is the major culprit of our sufferings presently. In the case of Marcos, he was a brilliant leader and a lawyer. But it just happened that he has misused or abused his power to advance his personal interest. I can still remember when Mrs. Marcos said that they virtually own the country.My first reaction was how it could be when we commonly inherited this country from our forefather.Only to find out that her husband has actually plundered the nation's wealth by depositing huge amount of money in foreign Swiss bank .
By Louie Jay Ban V. Jarales
picture courtesy of :http://corruptionmonitor.com/stop_corruption
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