A look back in history marks July 4, 1946 when Philippine independence was proclaimed to the world by US President Harry S. Truman. The last President of the Commonwealth and the first President of the Republic (1946-48) was Manuel L. Roxas. It is the third Philippine Republic (the first being the Malolos Republic from 1899-1901, and the second being the Japanese-sponsored republic from 1943-1945.
From then on, we have had a series of more than 10 presidents: Elpidio Quirino (1948-1953), Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957), Carlos P. Garcia (1957-1961), Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965), Ferdinand E. Marcos(1965-1986), Corazon C. Aquino (1986-1992), Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998), Joseph Estrada (1998-2001),Gloria M. Arroyo (2001-2010), and Benigno Simeon Aquino III (2010-present).
The most remembered achievement of Macapagal as fifth President was the changing of our Independence Day from July 4th to June 12.
After the first year of P-Noy, we notice a change in the attitude of people towards corruption because of the unfortunate fact that the previous administration made it routine, as part of the top to bottom bureaucracy — influence peddling, kickbacks, overpricing, rigged bidding, padded project expenses, expense accounts and payrolls anomalies, use of public funds for self-emulation programs, nepotism, cronyism, paid prosecutor and judicial decisions, smuggling, bribery and insertion of questionable clauses and provisions in congressional bills, among others.
When we start from a very low point of reference in the corruption index, there is no other way but up. This is only possible if the citizenry will continue its vigilance and informed participation in matters of public interest.
Even the media apparently was heavily weighted down with the flashes of gold and silver, as the findings in the PCSO uncovered.
This is the greatest challenge of P-Noy because the bureaucracy is riddled with a cancer of corruption from top to bottom. P-Noy may have to step on the toes of sacred cows.
Now it can be told that sacred cows, like the Bishops of the Catholic Church were in the take, and there will be more unusual cash releases from gambling PCSO, as the investigation will continue.
Many people express doubts if only the Bishops-Pajero 7 were really involved?
By and large, the Catholic Church is firm in its stand against gambling, but, some church leaders seem to think that “ the ends justify the means”. They have responded by saying that the money from the PCSO was used for projects for the poor. This development has tarnished the moral ascendancy of the CBCP, and their credibility is at its lowest.
Corruption is now systemic both in the public and private sectors, beyond family and personalistic considerations.
We need not only prayers but, concrete actions from government and private sector to reverse the deleterious effects of corruption.
Contrary to the pronouncements of Cong. Edcel Lagman, the election of P-Noy was the first step forward, an informed choice to stem the tide of corruption.