The unrelenting war against corruption

WHOEVER said corruption in the government will be swept in two to three years must be dreaming. Not even with a magic wand can President Rodrigo Duterte do that.

Corruption in the government bureaucracy was institutionalized by the BSAIII administration it is a Herculean job for Duterte to dismantle it like all of us wish he would.

This week, I realized that there are over a dozen coalitions against corruption. One of these took umbrage against me for putting to print the request of the Makati Business Club that their CAC is not behind the call for Department of Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez to resign.

This morning, the editorial desk of the Philippine News Agency sent me a copy of the statement of the Coalition Against Crime stating among others that they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is therefore not a bogus organization. They also countered that they never claim and do not wish to be associated with MBC which has its own CAC. This CAC asserted that far from being bogus is composed of individuals who have consistently supported the good governance of the President’s war on corruption.

Listed as CAC chairman is Manuel Obedoza, also chairman of VACC; vice chair is Alcia Risos, national president of Women’s Lawyers Association of the Philippines, Lovensky Fernandez, president of Kilusang Pagbabago National Movement for Change; Enunina Mangio, VP for External Affairs and treasurer; Nicon Famerong, VP for Internal Affairs; Monalie Dizon, secretary; and John Rana, public relations officer. The members of the board are: Rosalina Bistoyong, Gonzalo Catan, Eddie Choa and Ma. Teresa Moncupa.

This SEC-registered CAC stressed that this was in fact organized in response to the call of President Duterte for private sector’s support in the War on Corruption.

Now that proper identities had been set, and having established that this CAC is not in fact bogus, I am extending my apologies to the organization for doubting your identity. That is not difficult to do as I have been a crusader against crime and corruption and as a writer based in Davao have been even encouraged by mayor Duterte, now President, to pursue that course. Having done my part to correct this misinformation, may I request CAC to kindly quote either the Chairman or President of your organization in your futre public or press statement.

Now, let me proceed with the other item in this piece.

Two of the most corrupt agencies in the government are the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The third is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The BOC of late became the focus of graft watchers not so much because it failed to hit its revenue collection targets but because shipment of illegal drugs slipped through Customs.

It is only proper that we read commentaries coming from all direction what the observers are saying. It’s up to you now the separate the chaff from the grain.

TIDBITS: Motorists passing through Korean town and bound for San Fernando through Friendship Highway are too eager to have the bridge under construction to be finished by December this year. That’s the target date according to DPWH Regional Director Bong Tolentino... And motorists traveling to Porac town have suffered enough of the traffic gridlock due to the construction of a bridge. Some motorists have to make a detour and pass through bumpy and narrow streets. To make it easier for people coming from Angeles City going to Porac, take the SCTEX and exit at the Hacienda Dolores t ol l gat e.