Advocacy against corruption

What is corruption

Is the abuse of private and public office for personal gain. It includes acts of bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, kickbacks, and state capture

Forms of Corruption

• Public corruption (misuse of public power).

• Private corruption (business-related unethical practices).

Causes of Corruption

• Career advancement and financial struggles.

• Minimal risk and high potential benefits.

Effects of Corruption

• Increases costs of business and procurement.

• Leads to loss of public trust and weakens institutions.

• Contributes to poverty, economic instability, and radicalization.

Characteristics of Corruption

Recipients & Payers

Extortion

Lubricant in Society

Ethical Dilemma

Poverty Alleviation

Cultural

Kindness among friends

Recipients & Payers

Both parties benefit from corruption.

Both givers and recievers contribute to corruption

Extortion

Officials don't just accept bribes they may demand them

People often feel forced to pay bribes to avoid disadvantages

Those who refuses to pay may face delays or setbacks

Lubricant on Society

Some see bribery as necessary for smooth operations.

Gifts (during holidays, or life events) may be expected for securing contracts

Fear of losing opportunities pushes people to offer bribes

An Ethical Dilemma

Bribery is often kept secret, proving it as seen as wrong

Both the giver and receiver know it is improper but still engage in it.

Poverty Alleviation

Lower-ranking officials engage in corruption for financial survival.

Some believe reducing poverty is linked to tackling small-scale corruption

Cultural

Gifts are universal part of human relationships

Openly given gifts create obligation, while corrupt payments are done in secret

A public gift carries social expectations for the recipient

Kindness among friends

Gifts can be purely thoughtful or come with hidden intentions

The difference between attention (genuine kindness) and intention (expecting something in return) is crucial

Determined whether a gift is a sincere gesture or an unvestment in future gain

The Philippines Corruption Report: corruption ranking & scores

• Ranked 114th in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index.

• Score of 33/100, slightly improving from 2023 (115th place).

• Widespread corruption in judiciary, police, public services, and land administration.

The Philippines ranked 4th out of 180 in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) with a score of 33/100 (slightly better than 5th place in 2023).

The country’s CPI score has averaged 30.3 since 1995, peaking at 38 in 2014 and hitting a low of 23 in 2000.

The Philippines Corruption Report: forms of corruption

Common types: graft, bribery, cronyism, nepotism, embezzlement, extortion, fraud, tax evasion, vote buying, and lack of transparency.

Weak enforcement of laws and government policies worsens corruption.

The Philippines Corruption Report: historical & systematic corruption

Corruption in the Philippines dates back to Spanish colonial rule.

It is widespread across multiple sectors, including:

• Judicial system

• Police service

• Public services

• Land administration

• Natural resources

4 measures in Prevention of Corruption in workplace

Clear Business Process

Policy on Gifts & Entertainment

Declaration of Conflict of Interest

Convenient corruption reporting system

Clear Buisness Processes

Establish defined workflows and approval authorities

Standardize procurement procedures to detect irregularities

Policy on Gifts and Entertainment

Set guidlines on acceptable gifts to maintain ethical business relations

Prevent gifts from influencing business decisions

Declaration of Conflict of Interest

Require employees to disclose personal relationships that may affect business decisions

Prevent favoritism, bribery, and unethical practices

Convenient Corruption Reporting System

Implement a whistleblowing policy for safe and anonymous reporting

Protect employees from retaliation when reporting corruption

Laws Against Corruption

• RA 3019 – Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

• RA 9485 – Anti-Red Tape Act.

• RA 9160 – Anti-Money Laundering Act.

• RA 6713 – Code of Conduct for Public Officials.

• RA 12009 – New Government Procurement Act. replace as RA 9184 (govt. procurement reform act)

• UN Convention Against Corruption – International effort to fight corruption.

Role of Civil Society & Media

• Active civil society, but CSOs are excluded from formal decision-making.

• Media is diverse but influenced by oligarchs and weak law enforcement.

• Journalists face threats, making the country one of the most dangerous for the press.

• Libel laws and bribery limit press freedom, with government censorship a concern.

• Press is considered "partly free."