Is the Tuwid na Daan the right path to a corruption-free Philippines?

This President Aquino has been in office for one year and three months, but there have been no major victories in the campaign against corruption.

True, his new appointee to the Office of the Ombudsman, the main anti-graft watchdog of the government, has only been three months into her job.

At the very least, new lady Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who has impeccable credentials and strong moral character, has buckled down to work on a roadmap to where the centers of graft are.

But while our anti-graft agents are still working on the drawing board, a course has been set by another President Aquino more than two decades ago, and experts have validated that this could be the winning formula.    

A framework for a national anti-corruption campaign based on the “Cory Model” just might work for the country.

Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, team leader of a research team looking into “Pinoy Solutions to Corruption” formulated the framework, based on the strategy used by the late President Corazon  Aquino during her administration. The two other members of the team are Profs. Danilo R. Reyes and Ma.Oliva Domingo,

The results of the research would be presented tomorrow at the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines. Further proposals from the public wouldl be welcomed.

The research recognized the need for a national anti-corruption program.

According to Professor Briones, “After nearly five centuries of organized government, graft and corruption now threatens to be as Pinoy as lechon, adobo, sinigang and paksiw. It seems to be as endemic as dengue, tuberculosis and cholera. The solution to this national blight can only come from the Filipinos themselves. “

Professor Reyes tracked the legal, organizational, and administrative strategies pursued by different administrations up to 2004. He pointed out that 22 anti-corruption institutions have been created since 1950, in addition to numerous laws, executive orders, and administrative orders.

And so he he asks, “Why then does corruption in its various shades and manifestations continue to bedevil Philippine society?”

On the other hand, in a chapter entitled “The Road to Perdition…,” Professor Domingo chronicled corruption and anti corruption efforts up to May 2011, tracing the travails of Ombudsman Marcelo and ended with the resignation of Ombudsman Gutierrez.   

In spite of non-stop failure, a chapter written by Professor Briones, entitled “Learning from success” proves that there have been proud, shining moments in Philippine history when successful battles were waged against corruption, citing agencies which prevent individual corruption through efficient systems and fast delivery of services and instances of spectacular agency reforms in the past where corruption was stopped on its tracks, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Public Highways, the Commission on Audit, and the National Police.

The study ends with a proposed framework for an anti-corruption campaign which builds on “The Cory Model”.

During her administration the anti-corruption campaign was led by no less than the President with all the Cabinet members actively participating. The last chapter, entitled “From Pinoys to P’noy: Solution to Corruption summarizes recommendations to the President.

We strongly encourage Aquino the son to take the cue from Aquino the mother on this matter.