Unearthing corruption

COVERING up corruption is done in the books.

As the Senate investigations have shown, the key to quickly unearthing corruption cases – and hopefully later on proven in the appropriate judicial venue – are findings by resident auditors of the government agencies and corporations.

And this can be adopted at the local government level, where corruption collectively surpasses that at the national level. The COA auditors of local government units are vital in this endeavour. Recently, the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)-Pangasinan Chapter celebrated its 60th Induction Ceremonies with Marilou E. Utanes, newly appointed Provincial Treasurer and former Provincial Accountant of Pangasinan, as president for 2011-2012. Utanes said she intends to leave a “lasting legacy” given her role. That lasting legacy would surely be remembered by the people in the communities if it would involve helping fight corruption.

At the same time, non-government organizations and civil society groups can play a major role in initiating the review of COA reports of cities and municipalities. While it is a pity that the Freedom of Information remains hanging, there are already existing laws that provide for access to public records that can be used to track down and catch those who are stealing the people’s money.

Going after corrupt public local government servants, both past and present, and making them accountable for their sins against the communities is necessary in realizing every Filipino’s dream of a country where there is good governance. If it doesn’t start now, then when else?

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State of the nation

THIS is the state of the nation: FOOD – Nearly 30 percent of our 90 million people do not eat three proper meals a day. EDUCATION – Nearly 2 million are illiterates; almost 4 million youth out-of-school. HEALTH – People are dying either of malnutrition, if not dengue. PEACE AND ORDER – Ambuscades, kidnappings, summary executions, holdups, involuntary disappearances, bank heists, killings perpetrated by hooded, motorcycle-riding murderers are rampant. PRICES – Fuel costs high as ever; staple food (rice and fish) costs high as ever. JOBS – 7.2 percent unemployment rate. SOCIAL & PUBLIC SERVICES – Graft and corruption happens everyday at Customs, BIR, LTO, LRA and other agencies like LFTRB that are sworn to serve the people at all times without fear or favor.

And what was P-Noy’s Sona again on July 25? That Pagcor’s coffee expenses under GMA’s watch ran to P1 billion?

Accuse, accuse! We say, the Sona had more bark, less bite.

Sona now means, “Speech of Noynoy’s Accusations.”

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