Challenge
Foulshot
Fighting graft and corruption is too tough a task that the social ill still remains prevalent across the expanse of government at practically all levels. Calls to fight graft had been a common battlecry of every administration but all efforts seem failures as grafters continue to pillage the public coffers with impunity. Success in eliminating graft and corruption is too nil or even negative that those in it have the temerity of living proudly for having gained so much out of the thickness of their faces.
The callousness and gall of those in the graft business is developed on the misplaced notion that what they practice is rewarding. It is reinforced with the thought that they are well shielded by a corrupt system that places high regard for the grafter with all the stolen financial power at ones disposal to buy ones way out of punishment.
But the practice is limited only to those who are given the opportunity to tinker with public funds by virtue of ones office. Of the many people in government who are in positions for corruption, there may be a few who are not endowed with that temerity, gall and callousness that grafters have and a few more principled persons who live firmly honestly. While the number is widespread in government and in cahoots with some private persons or entities, the problem can be contained and addressed effectively if leaders who are in positions to halt grafters resolve to end the social malady. But the fight must be lodged as a serious collective effort led by no less than a moral leader with untarnished reputation and unquestionable courage to do what is right.
The call of President Noynoy to rid government of corruption is a serious no nonsense challenge upon every citizen of this graft-ridden and corrupt-torn republic. People are aware how every president saw the social illness in the administration preceding, setting focus in fighting corruption with that of the predecessor as take-off point. Unfortunately, the fight is limited to the shield that the current administration erects around its own, keeping so much out of the public eye for fear of scrutiny. The strategy then was to take the cudgels of fighting graft an exclusive crusade of the powers that be, keeping its own well protected from the scalpel of its probes. Common to previous administrations is the strategy to fight graft against past administrations without transparency as the ulterior design is actually to protect its own.
Under the new administration, President Noynoy formally declared that every citizen must do ones role in fighting graft. There would be no bystanders watching at the sidelines as everyone must share in the fight to rid government of grafters. This is a good call that could bring positive results as the battleground would have graft-fighters outnumbering grafters. It too is a serious invitation that did not set any limitation to shield those in the present administration. With every citizen taking a role in watching over government programs and projects, grafters would be uneasy practicing their trade under the preying eyes of vigilant citizens.
Every citizen must respond cooperatively to the President’s challenge by reporting irregularities in past administrations and reporting any signs of corruption in the present administration. We need to score in this fight and underscore the strong statement that graft and corruption does not pay.
Comments to alellema@hotmail.com
By: Al Ellema
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