‘Keep next 18 months corruption-free’

BY IRMA ISIP

BUSINESS groups yesterday asked President Arroyo, legislators, and political leaders to keep the remaining 18 months of their term free of corruption.

In a statement, the Makati Business Club, the Management Association of the Philippines, and the Coalition for National Transformation called for a "real change as we prepare for a new kind of governance."

"Corruption is bad for business growth, employment and long-term survival. It worsens poverty; steals from the poor; compromises public order and safety; mocks the rule of law; encourages bureaucratic inefficiency; and destroys society’s moral fabric," the groups said, joining the call of five bishops for radical reforms in the government amid rampant corruption.

The call was made late last month by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference, and four other bishops.

The businessmen said they were "justifiably alarmed that the span and depth of corruption has become so extensive" as shown by surveys of international agencies which brought to the Philippines "the dishonor of being the most corrupt in Asia and one of the worst in the world."

The groups said despite the many celebrated cases of corruption in high places, "who in this government has been held accountable? Who has been prosecuted? Who has undergone trial? Who has been jailed?"

A survey of Pulse Asia conducted October 14-27 showed about eight in 10 Filipinos (79 percent) consider the economy to be "worse now" than it was three years ago.

The survey, which had 1,200 respondents nationwide, showed that only 6 percent said the economy was better now while 15 percent said there was no change over the past three years.

Of those who said that the economy improved, 42 percent said they "strongly felt" it, 49 percent said they "felt (it) somewhat," while 10 percent said they did not feel it.

Of those who said that the economy worsened, 77 percent said they strongly felt it, 21 percent said they felt it somewhat, while two percent said they did not feel it.

On the national quality of life, 78 percent said they were "losers" or worse now, 18 percent said they were "same as then," while only four percent said they were "gainers" or "better now."

In July, 84 percent said they were "losers," 12 percent said they were "same as then," while three percent said they were "gainers."

Sixty-seven percent said the national quality of life next year would be "worse than now," 24 percent said it would be the "same as now," while nine percent said it would be "better than now."

In July, 79 percent said the national quality of life would be "worse than now," 16 percent said it would be "same as now," while four percent said it would be "better now."

Asked to compare their personal quality of life now to last year, 58 percent said they were "worse now," 28 percent said they were "same as then," while 14 percent said they were "better now."