I regularly hear of expats in bars, coffee shops, and restaurants around Dumaguete bitterly complaining, among other issues, about the high level of dishonesty and corruption in Philippine public life.
There’s no doubt it exists here with the outcome being the enrichment of those in power at the expense of the ordinary citizen.
If given the opportunity to engage in conversation, I’d ask my fellow expats, “What’s your point, gentlemen? Corruption is everywhere, including in your countries and mine! Also, how does corruption here directly impact you?”
I’d remind them it’s unwise for people living in glass houses to throw stones. All independent, non-partisan evidence confirms that political corruption and graft are prevalent fixtures of Western political life.
In many countries, corruption is an unrequested, long-term legacy from departed colonial powers. Another reason is simply the greed of human nature that, when given the opportunity to flourish, does precisely that as effectively as the C19 virus.
Ireland, the country I come from, was colonized by England for 800 years, and remains partially colonized. Corruption exists there in politics as it does to varying extents in all Western countries.
But unlike the Philippines, the process in the Western world is significantly more subtle.
For example in Ireland, Charles Hughey, a former brilliant but much-flawed Taoiseach (leader of the tribe/Prime Minister) was in power for three terms from 1979 to 1992. Despite earning a modest salary, he somehow owned an island off the south-west coast of Ireland, thoroughbred race horses, had substantial business interests, and a huge estate in county Dublin valued in the millions.
Everybody knew the funds came from questionable sources, but it was only after he had retired from public life, and a lengthy tribunal investigation costing millions that the truth was finally revealed. He had been financed all his political life by wealthy individuals, primarily builders, in return for “favors.”
A much-requested one was the Prime Minister quietly arranging the re-zoning of land previously deemed for non-commercial use. It had been originally purchased by his cronies for almost nothing. And he wasn’t alone in his dealings. Many other politicians from both of the main parties in Ireland also enthusiastically benefited from accommodating similar activities, and amassing fortunes in the process.
How many of the major players went to jail for their crimes? None! The convenient method the elite use internationally to deal with inconvenient problems was the short-term imprisonment of some low-level officials. They were released when the public, not renowned for their long-term memories, had lost interest, and were instead focused on the next scandal that inevitably happened.
Not only did the senior politicians involved receive no punishment, they were given an admiring nudge and wink from the public, accompanied by unspoken respect for the lads being successful in life. The prevailing attitude was fair play to them! Seriously.
In rural areas in the 21st century, it’s still commonplace for politicians to substantially benefit themselves while their electorate are aware of their nefarious activities. “Ah, sure what does it matter if he earns a few extra euros? Didn’t he get the road built that we badly needed and nobody else before him got it done?” “It took him only a week to get the phone installed in my home after I’d been waiting over nine months.” “And didn’t he get those 75 factory jobs that could have gone elsewhere without him sticking up for his people?” Ironically, there’s a perverse form of logic attached to their reasoning.
Let’s now bring the conversation to 2020. Google “golfgate in Ireland”. In September 2020 when the entire country was in lockdown due to the C19 pandemic, there was an outing that involved a round of golf followed by a gala dinner. Major figures in Irish society, interestingly all male, attended the event. Their excuses used to theorize compliance with restrictions were so ludicrous I’ll treat them with the contempt they deserve, and won’t insult you by repeating them here. Fortunately, the fallout was powerful. An incensed public demanded blood. And they got it.
The heads of several major politicians were delivered to them on an oversized platter. They include a stalwart of Irish politics, Phil Hogan who also had a high-paying $33,000 per month salary plus expenses, a cushy job as a European Commissioner-for- Nothing based in Brussels. Big Phil’s roguish Irish charm was completely lost on his Dutch boss Ursula von der Leyen who clearly has no sense of humor.
By any standards, that was an expensive round of golf. Fortunately for Phil, he has a decent fortune socked away from his time as TD (member of Parliament), and while serving as Dublin’s urban planning director.
The minister for Agriculture, which, in Ireland, is an extremely important portfolio, “voluntarily” resigned after being ordered to, as did other senior figures who did so “for the good of the nation”. May God justly reward them throughout eternity for their selfless disregard and devotion to public duty.
The country was treated to a virtuoso performance by Taoiseach Michael Martin, on TV who, reading with trembling hands from a prepared script while copious beads of perspiration rolled down his anguished face, informed the electorate that he was shocked, ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED, by these pariahs’ outrageous, irresponsible behavior.
There have been rumblings in Hollywood suggesting Mr. Martin is going to be nominated for an Oscar as lead actor in a foreign, made-for-TV production. And deservedly so. Michael had waited a lifetime to get the top job. That hasn’t worked out well so far, but a brief career in Hollywood could make for a solid plan B.
Justice Wolfe, a member of the Supreme Court, was also involved in Golfgate. But the rules governing Justice Wolfe’s misbehavior, him being part of the crí¨me de la creme of Irish society, protected him from any significant reprimand. But in fairness, and this must have been exasperating for Justice Wolfe, he was politely asked to perhaps, maybe, consider resigning in a formal letter written by his regular golf partner, the President of the Supreme Court. Since good manners are of the upmost importance, Justice Wolfe thoughtfully considered the request for a few seconds before ever-so-politely answering “Ah, no thanks. I’ll stay on the bench.”
His response caused even more outrage from a public gasping for a few pints of Guinness from closed pubs, and very much on edge due to the severe C19 restrictions.
The different set of rules for those interpreting the law contrasted with those forced to obey it, upset many reasonable people. The honorable Justice Wolfe didn’t help his cause by his arrogant lack of remorse, while also being genuinely confused about all the fuss.
One of the significant differences between the Western world and the Philippines is people in the West will rush to the barricades over something as minor as quarter euro per kilo increase in the price of tomatoes.
People in the Philippines are wonderful, but tend to be docile, and accepting of what is wrong. I’m still amazed that the movement called People Power ever happened, and resulted in toppling the Marcos government.
In America, protest has always been an important factor in political life. But please keep in mind that during the Vietnam War, significant protests only began when, due to an acute shortage of bodies, the American middle class began to be impacted when the revised draft demanded their service in Vietnam.
Before then, it didn’t matter because it was only Latinos, Blacks, and other minorities without a voice who were being sent to the killing fields in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Burma.
Sadly, that sacred right has now been degraded by violent protesters storming the Capital on Jan. 6th looking for blood.
In America, it’s probably easiest to chronicle corruption when presidential pardons are analyzed. This is one of the rare aspects of that great constitutional document when one wonders why the founding failed to envisage possible future abuses.
It doesn’t matter a hoot whether the president is Republican or Democratic. There’s always an over-abundance of justifiable controversy to be shared. Huge sums of money are indirectly paid over to the American president through a “committee” or another arms-length instrument by convicted felons in return for a pardon, and the freedom to spend their ill-gotten fortunes.
The disgraceful pardoning by former president Clinton of the appropriately named Mr. Rich in exchange for large amounts of money, is one glaring example of presidential pardon abuse. The New York Times, which is hardly a bastion of conservatism, called the pardon “a horrible abuse of power.”
The pardoning of former US President Nixon by then President Ford was promoted as an attempt to heal the nation’s wounds.
I have never been able to understand the subtlety involved in the reasoning provided. Back then, I was living in Manhattan. It seemed just another example of special rules for the elite, a get out of jail free card.
It’s acceptable to corrupt the presidency, but don’t dare get caught while selling a few grams of crack in the city projects. Because back then, if caught, you’d have received a life-long sentence without possibility of parole.
Yes, justice is sometimes not only blind, but also completely irrational.
The American president has, ahead of his final pardons issued on Jan. 18th, has pardoned several cronies and allies who had been convicted of federal crimes.
There’s nothing unusual in that. And I don’t think it can be legally questioned. Previous Democratic and Republican presidents have routinely done the same. They will continue to do so in the future. It’s their final act of power before they disappear into bleak political wilderness.
Now before you start castigating me as either a left- or right-wing ideologist, please take into consideration that when living in America, I was an independent voter. While recognizing the smugness of my position, I never trusted any political party or politician. I voted for both Republicans and Democrats, depending on the issues involved.
Despite the dilution of the value of the ballot box, I’ve always respected and appreciated the privilege that voting gave me. But I wasn’t completely naive. I was aware of the vast power wielded by lobbyists that enabled them to have politicians pass laws favorable to their corporate clients.
There’s an insightful documentary on Netflix about the brilliant lobbyist Jack Abramoff who subsequently became a convicted felon. Before going before the parole board, he suddenly became deeply religious.
The arrogance of the top few percent in societies worldwide is constant and unwavering. It must be a wonderfully potent drug. These elites share an understandable sense of entitlement that propels them to live on a remarkably-different level of consciousness to the vast majority of humanity. Rules that apply to us are completely irrelevant to them.
I’m not being critical or cynical. Why would I? I’d probably behave no differently had I been raised in the rarified atmosphere breathed by those who, solely because of random birth, live their unique lifestyle.
Corruption exists everywhere throughout our little planet. Do we foreigners have any legal or moral standing to look down on Philippine culture and the political landscape here while basking in the illusion that our respective country’s systems are superior? That would seem a doubtful argument to successfully argue.
So to those of us foreigners who smugly decry corruption here in the country where we are currently living as guests, I’d recommend a softening of that viewpoint, and perhaps the beginning of a basic level of humility, together with an increased appreciation of the gifts that our hosts have given to us.
If you feel compelled to get into the pointless, ego-driven superiority or inferiority argument, with you, of course, being superior, I’d suggest it’s reasonable to say that Filipinos are superior to us Westerners in many respects.
Wouldn’t most of us like to be “happy” in the broadest meaning of that word? If so, Filipinos are way ahead of us. They possess an inner delight, a joie de vivre, a joy of life, regardless of their circumstances which, to us Westerners, often seems horrific.
Faced with those environmental circumstances, I’d hopelessly despair. What’s the value of this precious attribute that Filipinos naturally possess? It’s priceless.
Let’s please always remember that we are guests in this beautiful, imperfect country. Living here is similar to visiting a friend’s home. Basic politeness requires us to behave correctly. We would expect Filipinos to behave similarly in the Western world. From a significant personal experience, I know they do.
What about our understandable frustrations at the snail-like experiences getting ANYTHING done? Something as simple as paying a utility bill, or buying groceries in Robinsons or Hypermart? What’s the upside for us in getting angry and frustrated? None. Nada.
High-quality inefficiency has been operational here for centuries. So let’s please remember it’s an aspect of life that’s probably never going to change.
Besides, we have chosen to live here. And our Filipino hosts have agreed to allow us to be here, provided we are law-abiding, polite, and respectful.
Now it’s time for some uncomfortable disclosures from me. I’m embarrassed, and should be, when reading parts of articles from my previous columns here. Fortunately, it was from four years ago after I’d been living in Dumaguete for only a short time. I complained about everything! Waw, waw, waw. I was a whiny brat, constantly writing a stream of complaints about you-name-it, I railed on about it. Even after my Irish friend Michael Diamond called me on it, I still couldn’t see I was being an objectionable jerk!
As my fiancée used to regularly remind me in those early days whenever I complained, “The airport is only a 15-minute-drive away! Dumaguete would survive your departure!”
That was always sobering to hear from her, but as true then, as it is now.
_____________________________________________
Author’s email: irishauthormichaelcassidy@gmail.com
