The mission of government is to make society more just, more equitable and capable of meeting the needs of all. According to Elaine Bernard of Harvard University, “the role of the public sector is to provide goods and services that benefit the whole community and create common wealth as opposed to private wealth”. Corruption and organized crime are grave and pernicious threats to democracy.

The Philippine traditional politics, cultural practices such as “utang na loob”, “kumpadrazco system”, the colonial mentality of many Filipinos; antiquated, unhealthful, unproductive, ambivalent belief system that promotes unaccountability, encourages and proliferates abuses of power; giving undue importance and respect to abusive people and the lack of discretion in choosing leaders produced the two most notorious leaders in the world. In spite of EDSA 1,2,3 the majority in the Philippines are still poor although the natural and human resources are favorable for growth and development.

The cultural practice of “crime of omission" among so many Filipinos, that has ominous consequences for avoiding responsibilities like”Nakakahiya kay ano. Baka magalit. Huwag mong sasabihin na ako ang nagsabi.” These practices are being exploited by the majority of the politicians. Ambivalence or “kabilanin”, “balimbingan” culture as shown in the practice of “kissing the ass” and “diplomatic hypocrisy” are some of the main causes why development projects are discontinued although funding are available and the projects reported as finished.

Basically, the Philippines has abundant human and natural resources but many Filipinos lack will power and confidence to correct the evildoers. It is sad and outrageous that in the 2004 report of the Philippine Department of Social Welfare survey, the Province of Quezon is one of the 10 poorest provinces nationwide. Where are those millions of dollars being provided by International Organizations for the many socio-economic development projects which were reported as completed?

The Transparency International Organization in London, England rank the Philippines as one of the most corrupt governments in the world. The ranking was based on how the government practices its system of daily transactions. On the eyes of many foreign and local businessmen hardly anything gets done in the Philippines without “grease money” such as “padulas, lagay or tong”. Things come to a grinding halt once the “greasing” stop. Doing business in the Philippines are so confusing and esoteric that most foreign and even Filipino balikbayans who like to invest prefer to invest in other countries.

According to the Transparency International there are many countries which have successful programs to stamp out corruption in government. These countries such as Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan in the Asia Pacific have established Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). They are very successful in making lifestyle checks and scrutiny of their “Statement of Assets and Liabilities”, then turn their corrupt government officials to their efficient and just Department of Justice for prosecution. The justice system in the Philippines is in the snail pace. We have to see convictions with the guilty placed behind bars in order to save the country from the scourge(i.e., graft and corruption) that cause poverty and hopelessness.