Why is corruption prevalent in our country?

It’s because of the weak moral and spiritual foundation of our country, our corrupt judiciary and the indifference of people who act as if they are not concerned. We’re a weak nation. – Leonard Villa, Batac City

Corruption is prevalent in the country because there aren’t enough honest men committed to go after the corrupt. – Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte

We tolerate corruption

Simply because we allow buwayas to carry on their corrupt ways by voting them into position. A politician should only be given a term of three years and be allowed to run again for any elective position 10 years after his term so he can concentrate on his job. – K.C. Ibañez, Ilocos Norte

Corruption is common in our country because we elect corrupt leaders and we put them in office for them to augment their finances. – Camille Roxanne Exconde, Muntinlupa City

It’s because of vote-buying, which has a domino effect. We tolerate it. We are a gullible people, indeed! – Romeo Caubat, Masbate

Corruption is prevalent in our country because our leaders are corrupt. Corruption is a contagious disease that infects us all. – Eric Gopilan, Quezon City

Corruption is built in our system of government where officials spend millions to get elected to a position that pays P40,000 or less. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

Because we allow it and the government doesn’t show enough teeth and dedication in stopping it. – James Gaw, Parañaque City

Because we allow it. – Joel Caluag, Bulacan

People have simply lost hope and don’t care anymore to stop it because all attempts are useless. That’s like fighting the gods where victory is impossible. – Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City

Corruption is prevalent in our country because we Filipinos allow it to happen. Talamak ito sa gobyerno natin dahil nakasanayan na ng mga pinuno. – Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan

Corruption prevails because most people have given up fighting it. Some have accepted it as a way of life already, thus, they just turn a blind eye whenever corruption happens right in front of them. Besides, in this day and age where time is of most value, we’d rather be corrupted into saving time than waste another minute we could’ve used for other things. – Marielle Quiboquibo, Rizal

 Corruption has been extremely tolerated that it has become a way of life, or so it seems. – Felma Aguilan, Occidental Mindoro

We are also to be blame for we have done nothing to stop it. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City

Poverty causes corruption

Visit any public hospital you know and see how our population is multiplying. Chances are, the ones with nothing are the ones having more babies. Now, try to leap 20 years in advance. Do you really think these babies will survive all these years through honest living? Poverty is corruption. – Rico Fabello, Parañaque City

Poverty and unemployment are the reasons for the prevalent atmosphere of corruption in our country. Hence, diskarte begins. – Army Joy Padua, Negros Occidental

Weak governance, weak nation

The prevalence of corruption is caused by our government’s deliberate negligence to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities to country and the people. EO 464 and executive privilege did it. Under these capes, the government is seemingly tolerating corruption. – Cris Rivera, Rizal

Under GMA’s watch, corruption has permeated the three branches of government. Being a weak President, she nurtures corruption through the stupid executive privilege. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

Love of money, power

Corruption will never be eradicated as long as there are people who love money and power. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan

Corruption is prevalent because of past and present leaders’ love of power and money, their loss of patriotism, and their inability to lead by example. – Digoy Coro, Batangas

The Bible says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation, the love for money is the source of all evil,” 1 Timothy 6:9-10. – Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City

There are many factors why corruption is prevalent in our country: Bad leadership that sets an example, the weak implementation of laws, poverty and hardships, discontentment that results in endless craving for material possessions, love of money, desire for power, absence of integrity and, most of all, disregard for the presence of God. All these things lead to corruption. – Debbie Genato, Quezon City

Corruption is prevalent because our leaders are greedy. They hold office just to earn money; public service to all of them is a business opportunity. No politician can dare tell me that they’re out there to serve. All politicians are thieves. I’m sparing no one. – Alvin Perez, Manila

Greed for MVP (money, vices, power). – C.B. Manalastas, Manila

Simple. It’s greed for money to satiate worldly things and nothing else. – Dave Velasco, Marinduque

Corruption is prevalent in our country because of greed and one’s desire to accumulate enormous wealth instantly. – Salvacion Tomines, Tarlac City

The anatomy of corruption in the context of the Philippine society is such a complex thing. However, it is also simple, in that really, the heart of the problem of corruption is the problem of a corrupted heart. Corruption is the sin of greed, which has infected all of us in all levels of society. It’s pathetic that the Philippines is known to be the only Christian nation in the Far East, yet we are one of the most corrupt countries in the world. What sort of Christians are we, sana maging Kristiyano tayo sa puso, hindi sa nguso. – Jaime Macayana, Republic of South Africa

A reflection on the church

Biblically, man’s wisdom is poor and his resistance to temptation is weak. Even when he was in paradise where he did not have to seek more, he was corrupted by the devil. In our case, the Church failed and is still failing to make our faith our way of life. It’s sad to say this, but Christian churches in many ways are themselves corrupt. Unless we pray collectively and sincerely for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us, corruption will prevail in our country. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City

It reflects the condition of the church. – Marcos Pattaguan, Cagayan

Corruption prevails because integrity has lost its relevance for success in our society. Only a people with determination, not government can correct it. – C.B. Fundales, Bulacan

Our leaders don’t have a real fear of God that would compel them to correct corrupt-ridden political, economic, judicial institutions. – Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province

An ugly nightmare

This query that turns up every so often like a bad dream is really a huge and ugly nightmare. Read J. Bondoc’s “Sleaze high up in the three branches.” – L.C. Fiel, Quezon City

Our people have lived with it for a long time that it becomes a culture. The sad part is, people allow it or have no choice to stop it because our leaders lead the practice. To answer this type of question really gets your blood boiling. – Joselito Jose, Quezon City

We’ve contributed to it

Corruption is a two-way street. It takes two to tango. If a private individual is caught by the police, he will ask the police to spare him and find all the reasons to escape it. If the police will insist on arresting him, he will file a case of human rights abuse against the cop. Now, why do you think corruption is prevalent in some regions of this country? – Loi Castillo, Davao City

Corruption is prevalent in our country because we have all abetted this culture by participating in it one way or another. – Marilyn Domingo, Manila

The culture of corruption was ingrained, nurtured and developed in our psyche by the despicable Marcos-Erap-Arroyo triumvirate. Sadly, the political and economic elite collaborated in the rape of our wealth and morals. The church and society at large tolerate said grafters that accord them undeserved respectability. The end justifies the means. Thus, smugglers, gambling/druglords and other malefactors can buy their way to high positions in government or become much-revered members of elitist groups. - William Gonzaga, Marikina City

It has become some sort of tradition for our leaders to become corrupt when they are already in position. – Rommer Ryan Torres, Angeles City

We should ask ourselves the question: Are we involved directly or indirectly in some kind of corruption? If so, then change is the only answer. Corruption became part of Filipino culture during Martial Law and it was wantonly propagated after the Edsa Revolution and developed up to the present. – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

People look up to those who’ve enriched themselves while in public office and admire their skills. They ask them to be baptismal and wedding sponsors. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City

Easy money

Lagay is easy money for facilitators of quick transactions for small and big business, be it in public or private. Poder at laway lang ang puhunan. – Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City

Easy money makes corruption so prevalent in the Philippines. – Jose Fabello Jr., Misamis Oriental

Bribery is necessary

Corruption thrives because most government procedures encourage it. They are like a maze that cannot be negotiated successfully without bribery. – Nony de Leon, Bulacan

Filipinos are inured to pay fixers or give grease money or commissions to people that will work on papers they need over and above all legal fees. – Ed Alawi, Davao City

Anatomy of corruption

If we trace the history of corruption in our country and see why it has become prevalent, it would run this way: First of all, Filipinos have a compelling trait for gift-giving. Sometimes, for no or little reason at all, we give. For every good deed rendered, a “thank you” is most often accompanied by something in kind. Later, for assurance, those who would profit from services to be rendered by others would state or promise ahead what the latter could expect. Then, the gift in kind was transformed after jibes like “Perahin mo na lang!” Now, for anything from which one can make money, he is obliged to shell out something, like a shared profit or commission. Today, what used to be a gift is now the object of flagrant corruption and the take, they say, is up to a whopping 40 percent. God help us! – I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City

If we examine the root of corruption, we will find that it arises perhaps from the extreme attachment of people to their families. Corruption, as defined by the World Bank, is the use of public office for private profit. A person in office feels that he should earn enough not only for himself and his lifetime but also for his children, grandchildren and perhaps seven generations. That is probably the basic motive behind the enormous accumulation of wealth by the corrupt in our country today. – June Wenceslao, New York City

It pays to be corrupt

Corruption is habit-forming, addictive and it pays. Sadly, the three branches of government are infected with this malaise. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

Nobody gets punished

Corruption is prevalent for the simple reason that nobody is ever punished. Officials involved in all sorts of fiascos have remained scot-free. – Robert Young Jr., San Juan

Corruption has become so ordinary that nobody seems to care. With no big convictions from our court, expect these crooks to continue laughing at our judicial system and our country as a whole. – Alfredo Carballo Jr., Negros Occidental

As long as big-time corruptors are spared from prison, corruption will prevail just like jueteng and drugs. It is part of dirty politics. – C. Gaspar, Laoag City

Corruption is prevalent in our country because nobody is jailed for it. In the Philippines, it pays to be corrupt, that’s why for many government officials, corruption is the name of the game. – Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela

We are a heavyweight in corruption because, here, dirty money can sing like Pavarotti. Much-ballyhooed government programs to catch and can big fish in corruption, smuggling and tax evasion are obviously just for show. – Elpidio Que, Vigan

Corruption is rampant in our country because no one is convicted to the fullest. High-ranking officials can easily get out of the mess if caught. We should follow what other countries do to corruptors: Once convicted, they are handcuffed, dressed in orange, and jailed, kahit sino ka pa. – Danny de Leon, Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia

Because nobody is being punished, more so now. We know that judges can also be bribed, too. Well, lahat naman, silaw sa pera. Blame this on the leniency of our laws. – Rose Leobrera, Manila

It’s been institutionalized

Corruption prevails because there are many built-in opportunities for corruption in the system and many well-placed people in the three branches of government to ensure that the corrupt would always be victorious over the most vigilant of our people. – Mario Tejada, Ilocos Norte

Corruption is prevalent in our country simply because most people consider it as another form of livelihood rather than being a crime. – Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City

Corruption is prevalent in RP because after two decades of “conjugal dictatorship” and klepto-cracy, Filipinos have absorbed it in their system. – Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City

Because we voted for the perpetrators. Imagine that a President earning P60,000 a month is allowed to spend P200 million during campaign? How can he or she recover her expenses? – Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City

It is in our nature

It’s human nature. I’d say it’s prevalent in every country; some disguise it or justify it better than others. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

First, because we are a Third World country, politicians get away with corruption, and second, it is it in the character of most Filipinos. – J. Arquiza, Parañaque City

Corruption is so deeply embedded in the Filipino psyche that it is already part of our culture. It cannot be subdued, only exposed. – Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Nueva Ecija

Our corrupt mindset is the root cause why our country is still wallowing in the pigsty. – Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan

 Man, by nature, has been corrupt ever since the world began. He alone can rationalize the reasons why. I guess only the saints weren’t corrupt. – Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City

Corruption by example

Corruption is prevalent because it stems from the highest office. Almost all appointees are known to have corrupt backgrounds, but they’re still hand-picked to occupy sensitive positions. Obviously, nobody with a good background and reputation would want to work with the present administration who is known to be corrupt from top to bottom. This is a pity for good people who made the mistake of working with this administration. Their only choice is to be used for corruption or to get out – but getting out means getting humiliated publicly! – John Tadios, Muntinlupa City

We’ve lost our traditional values

Corruption is prevalent in our country because Filipinos are marunong tumanaw ng utang na loob at walang delicadeza. In short, makakapal na ang mukha. – Jojit Yu, Pitogo, Quezon

Filipinos are less patriotic. Thais and Koreans go to the streets to topple corrupt officials; after Edsa Revolution, we’ve lost our drive. Filipinos have lost traditional values. It used to be that officials were not afraid of committing corrupt acts but were afraid of being discovered. Now, many don’t care about being exposed; they just fear the deal won’t push through. – C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City

Because ours is a corruptors’ country whose leaders have forgotten their values. – Lydia Reyes, Bataan

For as long as caciques exist in our society and with no aggregation counteract (which is the current case), corruption shall remain our prevailing way of life. Having a true, sincere and firm values education focused on patriotism is one approach that I personally consider to be a cure for this malady. – Rey Onate, Palayan City

Our warped sense of values wherein we admire as maabilidad government officials who amass wealth way beyond their means is the main reason why corruption is quite prevalent. In other countries, these corrupt scoundrels are ostracized, vilified and spat upon. Until we stop putting more importance on abilidad over honesty and principle, corruption will continue to reign supreme in our country. – Don Hernandez, Las Piñas City

Corruption has run amuck in the Philippines because we lack values like American discipline, the Japanese sense of honor and Spanish delicadeza in government. - Dino Monzon, Caloocan City

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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