Pinoys can solve corruption, study says October 3, 2011 By Gloria Esguerra Melencio in Philippine History Tracing back corruption in Philippine history, a group of experts at the University of the Philippines says Filipinos in the 21st century can finally solve this problem that dates back from the Spanish colonial period’s polo y servicio which conscripted  men, 15 years old and above, to work by force on shipyards and churches, among others. This, aside from the tributo paid in cash or in kind to feed Spain’s growing population of frailes and Gobernador General’s guardia civiles plus the Indio laborers who serve them. To be exempted from forced labor and separation from home for more than a month, our relatively moneyed ancestors bribed Spanish officials to be listed as sick, lame or disabled while the penniless poor sweat it out, lest they be imprisoned or whipped. From this time, bribery has become a way of life to maneuver one’s way through government red tape;  be able to get a business or driver’s license at much speed; or cover up money trails of a multimillion non-existent government project – from the clerk at the bottom rung of the ladder up to the highest seat in you-know-where. However, no matter how hopelessly systemic and endemic corruption may seem to be, Professor Leonor Briones said solutions to age-old corruption are possible based on the successes of Pinoys, which she highlighted in her presentation of the study recently. While the Pinoy has the “Divisoria style” of bidding where everyone wants to buy everything at a bargain price, bidding here and there to be able to pocket more money, the “Cory Model”, a.k.a. housewife style, cleaning, managing and checking her own Cabinet has been the best so far. She cited improvement of government systems and procedures, provision and distribution of more public goods and clear rules and regulations are the solutions to corruption, among others. Former President Corazon Aquino had held each member of the Cabinet responsible in eradicating graft and corruption in the executive branch of government, monitored them and asked for a written monthly report of what had transpired during the anti-corruption campaign, Briones said. “To combat corruption in a public office , its head must lead the way,” Briones, endearingly called Ma’am Liling at the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance, said. She also cited as example former Commission on Audit Chairman Francisco Tantuico, who upon finding “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, and extravagant” expenses in the Marcos government, acted immediately and dismissed summarily government officials who had been corrupt. Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Regalado Singson quietly removed corrupt officials under his agency that resulted to the decrease of contractors’ price by 20 percent, she noted. Also a good example  of government agencies that had been successful in eradicating “market-centered corruption” are the National Census and Statistics Office, Bureau of Quarantine and International Health Surveillance and the Makati Municipal Government for its traffic enforcement, she said. Briones likewise cited the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and the country’s Treasury Office for their transparency in their bidding and awarding processes. While corruption remains a scourge among poor and developing societies, the Philippine anti-corruption campaign has already moved on as number of corruption cases has decreased since 2005, claimed Professor Danilo Reyes, member of the group conducting the study. Its status has changed for the better until 2011. As per Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Reyes said the Philippines ranked 6th among the most corrupt countries in the APEC region, tying with Vietnam; Cambodia ranked 5th, Indonesia 4th, Pakistan 3rd, Myanmar 2nd, and Bangladesh at the top in 2005. From 6th rank, the Philippines has slid down to the 17th, according to the recent CPI, a welcome development. Topping the list of countries with less corruption in 2011 are Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia, respectively, according to the study. Back home, the World Bank study recommends that the school system should “inculcate discipline and strict implementation of laws and for the Filipino people to discipline themselves.” It also suggests that the Philippine school system craft teaching modules on cultivating honesty and advocating against corruption from the kindergarten up the tertiary level. UP study shows 'Cory Model' still works in fight vs corruption By Rhodina Villanueva - Philippine Star - Oct. 2, 2011 A study conducted by a group of public administration practitioners and academics from the University of the Philippines indicated that the “Cory Model” or the strategy used by former President Corazon Aquino during her administration could still work well for the country in the fight against corruption. The research team led by Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, a public finance expert who was formerly treasurer of the Philippines, noted as a proposed framework an expansion of the Cory Model which was used successfully. “During the administration of President Corazon Aquino, significant anti-corruption results were attained without creating a new agency. She utilized the existing Cabinet structure and government arrangements which were already in place without putting up a new organization, and without creating new items of expenditures,” Briones pointed out. She said it is possible to make substantial inroads against corruption without creating a new agency. “It is possible to work within the existing framework of government institutions. Most important, only Filipinos can solve corruption in the Philippines. This was done during the administration of the current President’s mother, the revered President Corazon Aquino,” said Briones during the presentation of their study entitled “Pinoy Solutions to Corruption” held at the UP-National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) Friday. Briones further said the anti-corruption strategy of former President Cory Aquino is so simple it does not even have to be called a strategy. “The only new anti-corruption agency she created was the Presidential Commission on Good Government which was tasked with the mission of recovering ill-gotten wealth. Otherwise, she simply used the Cabinet system,” she said. The study noted, “It is likely she (Cory) did not see the need for foreign expertise and assistance because studies and recommendations had already been made about controlling corruption.” It also pointed out that instead of creating a separate campaign, President (Cory) Aquino integrated anti-corruption initiatives into the regular structure of the Executive branch, particularly the Cabinet system. “She simply ordered all her Cabinet members and heads of agencies to study their own organizations and formulate anti-corruption plans. They were required to report regularly. Since each department and agency was different from the others, the secretaries had different strategies and reported varying results,” Briones said. She added, “The assessment reports on President Cory’s fight against corruption show very clearly that the successes attained were largely due to the integrity of her Cabinet members who fought the war in their own departments. Under her leadership, her Cabinet members fought graft and corruption, each in his own way. A clear lesson is that the quality of each Cabinet member is crucial in an anti-corruption campaign.” The report further said, “Fundamental integrity is what President Cory and her Cabinet bequeathed to the country. This is what presidents, including the current, should also bequeath to the future generations.” Briones’ team also stressed that only the Filipino can solve corruption. “The government shall lead the campaign. Only the government has the resources and power to initiate the campaign and bring it to a successful conclusion. No less than the President will be at the helm of the campaign.” The proposed framework to fight corruption indicated that all the three levels of the executive branch of government will be covered by the campaign – national, local and the corporate sector. The two other branches of government – Congress and judiciary – will be invited to join the campaign. “All other sectors – business, professional organizations, civic associations, schools, civil society organizations and faith-based organizations, academic institutions and media, will also be mobilized,” Briones said. The new framework proposes tight coordination with the two other branches of government – legislative and judiciary. It also recommends more effective coordination with the constitutional bodies involved in corruption control. Briones, who is also lead convenor of Social Watch Philippines, said the environment at this time is somewhat similar to that of former president Cory Aquino’s administration. “There is widespread revulsion against corruption. At the same time, there is also widespread trust in the President, whatever critics might say about his administration. It can be said that now is the time to launch a massive, comprehensive anti-corruption campaign.” Briones led the research team with professors Danilo Reyes and Ma. Oliva Domingo of the UP-NCPAG as members. PNoy's solution to corruption could come from Cory, says UP professor 26-Sep-11, 10:45 AM | Lira Dalangin- Fernandez, InterAksyon.com   MANILA, Philippines – The solution to President Benigno Aquino III’s biggest headache might come from his own mother, the late President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. University of the Philippines professor Leonor Briones on Monday said the "Cory Model" of addressing corruption in the bureaucracy could be adopted by the present administration as studies show that the strategy was successful when it became part of the government's national campaign framework from 1986 to 1992.  According to Briones, the Cory Model follows a “simple structure” that can be initiated within the Executive branch by requiring all Cabinet members to have an anti-corruption plan that will be strictly followed and monitored. “Kanya-kanyang bantay ng ahensya [Each should watch over his or her own agency].  All Cabinet members are required to study all organizations under them and track their anti-corruption plan,"  said Briones former national treasurer and convenor of the budget watchdog Social Watch Philippines, said in a phone interview. "They should report every meeting on their progress and make an assessment on how they curbed corruption within their agency every year,” she said.  There is no need to create a separate anti-corruption body as the executive secretary can oversee the Cabinet members' initiatives, according to Briones. She said the President could expand this initiative by ordering the legislative and the local government units to embark on their own anti-corruption campaign to ensure that the fight against the menace is comprehensive. Based on Briones' study, corruption went down, if not eradicated, in several agencies like the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during Cory's term. More than 400 cases were filed against suspected corrupt officials and their cohorts from the DENR during the time, according to Briones. The former national treasurer observes that what Aquino is doing right now is more on the investigative side, and is focused only on few agencies such as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. “The preventive side is more important because you make it difficult for a person to do a corrupt act,” Briones said. Briones is currently working on a research paper, "Pinoy Solution to Corruption," with professors Danilo Reyes and Ma. Oliva Domingo. The results of the research will be presented on Tuesday, September 27, at the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) in UP Diliman, Quezon City from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Briones  hopes the public can give more insights on how to help the government stamp out corruption, stressing that there is a need for a national anti-corruption program. “After nearly five centuries of organized government, graft and corruption now threatens to be as Pinoy as lechon, adobo, sinigang and  paksiw.  It seems to be as endemic as dengue, tuberculosis and cholera. The solution to this national blight can only come from the Filipinos themselves,” she said in a separate press statement. In their research paper, Reyes tracked the legal, organizational and administrative strategies pursued by different administrations up to 2004. He pointed out that 22 anti-corruption institutions have been created since 1950, in addition to numerous laws, executive orders and administrative orders. “Why then does corruption in its various shades and manifestations continue to bedevil Philippine society?” Reyes said. Meanwhile, in a chapter entitled “the Road to Perdition," Domingo chronicled corruption and anti-corruption efforts up to May 2011. She traced the travails of Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and ended with the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. Briones’ chapter, “Learning from Success” will show the “proud, shining moments” when successful battles were waged against corruption. She cited agencies that prevent individual corruption through efficient systems and fast delivery of services.   She also mentioned instances of spectacular agency reforms in the past where corruption was stopped in its tracks, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Public Highways, the Commission on Audit, and the Philippine National Police. The study ends with a proposed framework for an anti-corruption campaign which builds on “The Cory Model.” During her administration the anti-corruption campaign was led by no less than the President with all the cabinet members actively participating.  The last chapter, entitled “From Pinoys to P’noy: Solution to Corruption summarizes recommendations to the President. The event is organized by Philippine Society for Public Administration headed by Prof. Alex B. Brilliantes of the UP-NCPAG.  Co-organizers are the Junior Philippine Society for Public Administration, Philippine Social Science Council, UP/NCPAG Student Council, the National College of Public Administration and Governance and the MSI/Integrity Project of the USAID. The ‘Cory Model’   Journal Online Editorial Published : Tuesday, September 27, 2011   Is the Tuwid na Daan the right path to a corruption-free Philippines? This President Aquino has been in office for one year and three months, but there have been no major victories in the campaign against corruption. True, his new appointee to the Office of the Ombudsman, the main anti-graft watchdog of the government, has only been three months into her job. At the very least, new lady Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who has impeccable credentials and strong moral character, has buckled down to work on a roadmap to where the centers of graft are. But while our anti-graft agents are still working on the drawing board, a course has been set by another President Aquino more than two decades ago, and experts have validated that this could be the winning formula.     A framework for a national anti-corruption campaign based on the “Cory Model” just might work for the country. Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, team leader of a research team looking into “Pinoy Solutions to Corruption” formulated the framework, based on the strategy used by the late President Corazon  Aquino during her administration. The two other members of the team are Profs. Danilo R. Reyes and Ma.Oliva Domingo, The results of the research would be presented tomorrow at the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines. Further proposals from the public wouldl be welcomed. The research recognized the need for a national anti-corruption program. According to Professor Briones, “After nearly five centuries of organized government, graft and corruption now threatens to be as Pinoy as lechon, adobo, sinigang and paksiw. It seems to be as endemic as dengue, tuberculosis and cholera. The solution to this national blight can only come from the Filipinos themselves. “ Professor Reyes tracked the legal, organizational, and administrative strategies pursued by different administrations up to 2004. He pointed out that 22 anti-corruption institutions have been created since 1950, in addition to numerous laws, executive orders, and administrative orders. And so he he asks, “Why then does corruption in its various shades and manifestations continue to bedevil Philippine society?” On the other hand, in a chapter entitled “The Road to Perdition…,” Professor Domingo chronicled corruption and anti corruption efforts up to May 2011, tracing the travails of Ombudsman Marcelo and ended with the resignation of Ombudsman Gutierrez.    In spite of non-stop failure, a chapter written by Professor Briones, entitled “Learning from success” proves that there have been proud, shining moments in Philippine history when successful battles were waged against corruption, citing agencies which prevent individual corruption through efficient systems and fast delivery of services and instances of spectacular agency reforms in the past where corruption was stopped on its tracks, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Public Highways, the Commission on Audit, and the National Police. The study ends with a proposed framework for an anti-corruption campaign which builds on “The Cory Model”. During her administration the anti-corruption campaign was led by no less than the President with all the Cabinet members actively participating. The last chapter, entitled “From Pinoys to P’noy: Solution to Corruption summarizes recommendations to the President. We strongly encourage Aquino the son to take the cue from Aquino the mother on this matter. Briones: Anti-corruption fight like 'telenovela' by David Dizon, abs-cbnNEWS.com Posted at 09/26/2011 11:11 PM Former National Treasurer urges 'Cory model' to fight corruption MANILA, Philippines - A former Cabinet official believes the government of President Benigno Aquino III can eliminate corruption by following the example set by his mother, former President Cory Aquino. In an interview, former National Treasurer Leonor Magtolis Briones said the younger Aquino would do well to follow the "Cory model" to eliminate corruption in different government agencies and departments one by one. "Ang Cory model ay simple lang. Cory had no additional budget, did not get money from multinationals. She just made her government work. She appointed Cabinet officials who were responsible and oversaw anti-corruption programs," she told abs-cbnNEWS.com. Briones said the "Cory model" entails a no-nonsense approach by the Office of the Ombudsman and state auditors to graft. She said the model will also need the help of the legislature and the judiciary since the 2 other branches of government are tainted with corruption. She said the business community, civil society and media will also play important roles in curbing corruption. Briones, who served as National Treasurer during the Estrada administration, said she believes that the incumbent President can do better in fighting graft. "I believe so. For one thing, there's more expertise and experience. There are more groups monitoring corruption. Wag lang tatantanan at titigilan. Wag sa umpisa lang at biglang magsasawa. We have to get the Pinoy way of doing things," she said. 'Like a telenovela' Briones said anti-corruption efforts are like a "telenovela" in search of a happy ending. She noted that while many irregularities were exposed, there is little to no resolution and the people lost interest. "Sa telenovela, hindi pwede masyado matagal dahil mawawalan interes ang tao," she said. She also noted that there should be a "Fear Factor" approach in fighting corruption by ensuring that Filipinos know all the rules. For example, she said many Filipinos who break traffic rules elsewhere are "behaved" when they reach Makati. "Bakit ang taga-Quezon City kapag pumunta sa Makati ang bait? Kasi alam nila ang traffic mahigpit dun," he said. Pinoy Solutions to Corruption Briones recently led a research team to look into “Pinoy Solutions to Corruption” based on the strategy used by the late President Cory Aquino during her administration. The two other members of the team are Profs. Danilo R. Reyes and Ma.Oliva Domingo, She said her research showed that there have been several "wins" in the fight against corruption in several government agencies through efficient systems and fast delivery of services. She also mentioned instances of spectacular agency reforms in the past where corruption was stopped in its tracks, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Public Highways, the Commission on Audit, and the Philippine National Police. On the other hand, she also noted that reports of corruption in government started increasing after 2004 despite the rise of several anti-corruption monitoring groups. Results of the study are set to be presented in a symposium at the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines on Tuesday. Study on corruption shows ‘Cory Model’ may work By Lilybeth G. Ison, PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian A framework for a national anti-corruption campaign based on the “Cory Model” just might work for the Philippines. Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, team leader of a research team looking into “Pinoy Solutions to Corruption,” formulated the framework based on the strategy used by the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino during her administration. The two other members of the team are Profs. Danilo R. Reyes and Ma.Oliva Domingo. Briones said the research recognized the need for a national anti-corruption program. “After nearly five centuries of organized government, graft and corruption now threatens to be as Pinoy (Filipino) as lechon, adobo, sinigang and paksiw. It seems to be as endemic as dengue, tuberculosis and cholera. The solution to this national blight can only come from the Filipinos themselves,” she said. For his part, Prof. Danilo Reyes tracked the legal, organizational and administrative strategies pursued by different administrations up to 2004. “Why does corruption in its various shades and manifestations continue to bedevil Philippine society?” he asked. Reyes noted that 22 anti-corruption institutions have been created since 1950, in addition to numerous laws, executive orders and administrative orders. On the other hand, in a chapter entitled “the Road to Perdition…” Prof. Ma. Oliva Domingo chronicled corruption and anti-corruption efforts up to May 2011. She traced the travails of Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and ended with the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. Inspite of non-stop failure, a chapter written by Prof. Briones, entitled “Learning from Success,” proves that there have been proud, shining moments in Philippine history when successful battles were waged against corruption. She cited agencies which prevented individual corruption through efficient systems and fast delivery of services. Briones also mentioned instances of spectacular agency reforms in the past where corruption was stopped in its tracks, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Department of Public Highways (DPWH), the Commission on Audit (CoA), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). The study ends with a proposed framework for an anti-corruption campaign, which builds on “The Cory Model,” where anti-corruption campaign was led by no less than former President Cory Aquino during her administration, with all her Cabinet members actively participating. The last chapter of the research study, entitled “From Pinoys to P’noy (President Benigno S. Aquino III): Solution to Corruption,” summarizes recommendations to the President. The results of the research will be presented on Tuesday (Sept. 27), at the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines in Quezon City, from 1-5 p.m. Briones welcomes further proposals from the public with regards to the research. The event is organized by the Philippine Society for Public Administration headed by Prof. Alex B. Brilliantes of the U.P. National College of Public Administration and Governance. Co-organizers are Junior Philippine Society for Public Administration, Philippine Social Science Council, UP/NCPAG Student Council, the National College of Public Administration and Governance and the MSI/Integrity Project of USAID. Participants include professionals and students from all over the country, government officials, representatives of civil society organizations, and media.

Ehem -- the anti-corruption initiative of the Philippine Jesuits echoes the urgent call for cultural reform against corruption in the Philippines.
Ehem aims at bringing people to a renewed sensitivity to the evil of corruption and its prevalence in ordinary life. It seeks ultimately to make them more intensely aware of their own vulnerability to corruption, their own uncritiqued, often unwitting practice of corruption in daily life.
Ehem hopes to bring people, in the end, to a commitment to live the way of Ehemplo --- critical of corruption, intent on integrity!

 

Management Association of the Philippines 
MAP is a management organization committed to promoting management excellence. The members of the MAP represent a cross-section of CEOs, COOs and other top executives from the top local and multinational companies operating in the country, including some top officials of government and the academe.

iPro supports the process of reducing corruption by seeking synergies between Government of the Republic of the Philippines agencies and civil society at all levels.

 

 

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