It is done by immoral

people; corruption leads

to our destruction and
makes our life
miserable

Corruption at its finest

A FEATURE WRITING

BY: BUEN DENNISE H. HERNANDEZ

 In the world full of cruel and greedy people, there’s so much worse thing that can
possibly happen. And corruption is one of them. There are a lot of other terms for it, like
dishonesty, criminality, immorality, indecency and many more. But corruption is really a
dishonesty or fraudulent doing of the people who has power and it is more likely shown in
politics. Maybe you are asking yourself “why at politics?” because in politics, they have power
to hold on. Having such power can easily make you from nobody to somebody. Power can make
you recognized but too much on having it can result in greediness and dishonesty.

Corruption is not only about politicians who pocket or steal people’s money but also it
weakens democracy that can lead into several problems in the society. For example, it hampers
and economic development, inequality, poverty, social division and environmental crisis.
Corruption can take many forms, can happen anywhere, can involve anyone and it can happen
without noticing by anyone. If you have power, it is easy for you to be one of the corrupt people.

In our country here in the Philippines, there are a lot of corruption cases that has been
reported and most of them are cases of politicians who pocketed money that belongs to the
nation. In previous government administration up to now, corruption cases have not disappeared
and continue striving. Politicians uses their corrupted money for their selves and not thinking
about how badly the nations needed the money. There’s a statement by Rusty Eric, saying that
“As Long as Greed is stronger than Compassion, there will always be suffering”. I can relate our
country in that quotation. Because of the greed and cruelty of some people, not only politicians
but also those who have power to corrupt, there are always people who suffers from it.

It is not all about the money, it is all about the honesty on doing your job and to apply
equality for all. We are all aware how huge amount of money has been taken on our country’s
funds. But other people choose to ignore it, I wonder why. Maybe because they are part of it.
They knew all along but acting blind because they will benefit from it.

In order to eliminate or fight the corruption we must promote transparency,

accountability and integrity also the proper use of power. First, transparency, it is all about being
honest on who, what, why, how and how much in a service. Informing people, the plans,
processes and actions to be more aware. It also helps us to attain more information that can guard
us against corruption. With the help of transparency, it will increase trust of the people on the
politicians or those who has power. In transparency, aside from being honest and giving
information it must ensure that the people can understand and access it. Accountability or
responsibility, because being responsible is a factor that can help to fight corruption.
Accountability as blend of answerability, the commitment to illuminate and legitimize public
choices and enforceability, the capacity to endorse or cure negating conduct. Integrity, or the
quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. With the practice of integrity, I
assure that we can lessen corruption because many is educated but now well-mannered that’s
why they are acting immoral. Lastly, the proper use of power, corruption is done with people
who have power. They are abusing their power regardless how immoral it can get. They are
dazzled by power that’s why the power is controlling them, not them controlling the power.

With these mentioned advocacies, I guarantee that we can win against the fight with
corruption in our society. All we need is cooperation of everyone, especially with those who to
blame. Corruption is a big deal, because if this continue to happen, our country will experience
many hardships and not sure if we can handle it.

Miriam Defensor Santiago: The Intelligent Leader

BIOGRAPHY

by Christine Joy Hernandez

 Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago earned the degree of Doctor Juridical science in the
United States. She turned out to be internationally well known for her brave and splendid
campaign against defilement in the Philippines. She is the light in the darkness of corruption.
Thus, at 43, Miriam Santiago was named Laureate of the Asian Nobel Prize, known as the
Ramon Magsaysay Grant for Taxpayer supported organization. She was referred to "for strong
and moral authority in tidying up a join ridden government office." Defensor is popular as a
Dragon lady, the Incorruptible lady, the impregnable lady the Platinum Lady, and Iron Lady in
Asia. The Australian magazine named her one of “The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World”
in the year 1997.

Senator Miriam Santiago was born on the 15th day of June 1945 in Iloilo City. She
graduated with a Four-year certification in liberal arts degree in political theory, magna cum
laude from the University of the Philippines Visayas and she has studied abroad after that. She
acquired the advanced education of Expert of Laws, and Specialist of Juridical Science, from the
College of Michigan in the US. She completed the scholarly prerequisites for the certificate
Expert of Expressions in Strict Examinations, at the Maryhill School of Religious philosophy.

Dr. Santiago holds a stunning record of greatness in each of the three parts of
government: judicial, executive, and legislative. In the legal branch, she has been managing
judge of the Territorial Preliminary Court at Quezon City. In the presidential branch, she has
been movement chief; and a bureau part, as agrarian change secretary. In the administrative
branch, she has now been a senator for three terms.

Miriam is the 1st Filipino and the 1st Asian elected in the United Nation as a judge of the
International Criminal Court. She served the country in 3 consecutive years as a Senator whereas
she supports progressive laws and campaigned for anti-corruption bills. Meriam is one of them
who refused to receive the P50 million DAP in every senator and P10 million in every
congressman.

On the 29th of April 2016, she has a speech at the University of Negros Occidental-
Recoletos in Bacolod City because she was a presidential candidate. The senator called on the
youth to be observant against corrupt foundations since the systems for changes in government.
Which is she wanted to push through. But it seems not to be established because of her
condition. According to Miriam Santiago “We must look for other ways to fight corruption. I
invite you, the young people, to join the crusade against corruption and the task of nation-
building. Begin by making sure that society does not condone corruption. Corruption only exists
in a society that allows it,” She also gives tips and motivates the young people on how to fight
against corruption. And here are the Five tips: Follow the money, Lobby, Protest, Vote, and
Protect the ballot. She also tells the youth “Our weapons against corruption are ready. What we
need is the will to win. Do not be intimidated by the fact that you are young. You are filled with
boundless energy, unfathomable courage, and a sense of wonder. Use these to your advantage
and for the greater good.” Besides, she added to her discourse based on the latest Corruptions
Perceptions Index by Transparency International the defilement is still in the public authority.
When she was elected as the president in the Philippines the outcome was not good because most
of the Filipinos said, “Miriam won in the voting, but lost in the counting,” she was cheated by
her competitor.

In her 4 years of life, she suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome and was diagnosed with
lung cancer stage 4 in June 2014 with her bravery and Determination she fought cancer. She won
a seat as a judge in the International Criminal Court. However, neglected to serve her term
because of her sickness. After a year passed of battling with lung cancer, she passed away in
September 2016 at the age of 71. Though she still will be remembered in Philippine history
because of her brilliant mind and she has the heart, humility, and courage to fight what is right.

The Corruptions

A Testimony

By: Jenzhen Alpapara

We all know that the corruption is very serious case that happen here in our world
especially in our country. I know that there are so many involve in this kind of issue especially in
the Government, it is very serious to talk about. Wayback 2012 My family and I going to bicol
and I noticed some road that we passed is broken and does not seem to continue in the work so I
already think in that area the government officials didn’t have action on that particular problem ,
or else they do is they broke that road to get money Coming from the government and after that
they just let it go. So, for me that is one a reason why some of them do corruption it because of
money. I remember on what my Lola story about Ferdinand Marcos and his wife First Lady
Emelda Marcos. A 10 Billion Dollars which they stole in our country, including the 638 Million
Us Dollar hidden, and Switzerland returned it in the bank in year 2003. They also have an
apartment in New York, The 40-wall street who known as trump Building, Paintings and
jewelries worth millions. After I realize that since before there was corruption that happens, and I
think that was the beginning of corruption here in our country.

Last Month I was watching YouTube and after that there was a recommended video that
is all about human trafficking and I know human trafficking is under a corruption why? Because
based on what I’ve watch there was a group of homeless people who find a job and find
opportunity for them. After that they rode to an L300 van to a sardine’s factory, they thought that
their job is easy, but they said that the work is from 8 am till 3 am the next day. There is sleep is
little time and after that they get back to work. Sometimes they woke up by hitting with a baton
and sometimes they kick. And the truth is They are work with no salary, so for me that is under
in corruption because it allows the crime to be invisible and facilitates the impunity once cases of
trafficking in persons detected.

I know that there are so many types under corruptions but for me it is not good for
everyone and for as an individual ,we know that corruption always happened in the government
and I know some of you has an experience with that. So, I think if that’s the case we should be
aware, and we all know that Mostly in the Government official corrupt in their unique way and
my idea with that is they deserved in jail. But I remember our Government here in our country is
very poor and sad.

Literary Style of Corrupt Politicians

A Personal Essay

By: Marielle Paz

 ” Corruption and Sustainable Development goals: All we need is Anti corruptions
principles and How to find the real officials who can run our country with no stealing
Government funds.”

“If you want to stay corrupt you should be prepared to face consequences” – Akera Muna
Chair, Iaac Council Corruption in the Philippines exists at all levels in the country's government.
One of the bigger problems facing our country is corruption. The reason why corruption is
happening in the Philippines is because many officials want to get rich in a very simple way.

Why is the Philippine Government constantly fighting over money and who is the
richest? It is sad to think that the number of corrupt politicians in the Philippines is increasing it
needs to be resolved to improve the course and life of the people of this country. Therefore, the
president must approve the Freedom of Information Bill. The Freedom of Information Bill in the
Philippines is a bill that requires the statement of assets, Liability and Net Worth of Government
officials the members of the Judiciary to be disclosed to the public. Under this law, empowering
citizens to make a formal request to obtain information held by the government briefly, this bill
is a law that can stop graft and corruption.

Through this Freedom of Information Bill, we can see who is stealing people's money.
This bill could be attributed to corrupt politicians planning to steal government funds. This bill
should be passed to the president so that the restraint against corrupt officials remains, the
ombudsman can charge the plunder and the honest politicians will sit in the position they truly
deserve.

So many people rely on Government funds, but they do not get what they deserve
because they can no longer get it because the officials have stolen it already. The political circles
of the country have long lost the trust of the people because of their frequent incidents of
corruption, and almost no public office is free from irregularities of some kind. It only shows that
corruption can be clearly seen in the social, political, and economic aspects of society.
Corruption has always been a major issue in our society and in government.

Corruption Takes Place

A Reflective Essay

By: Ian Onate

 “small or large corruption is still corruption, years of corruption in our government has
long prevailed in this country thus worsening it. I ask you the people of this beautiful country
what are you going to do about it”

“the duty of the youth is to challenge corruption” (Kurt Cobain) Today the Philippines
still struggling due to the pandemic that has killed over eight thousand people all over the
Philippines. This pandemic should have united all Filipinos to fight a common enemy but sadly it
has not it’s still the same as before. Covid-19 has proved to be a challenge to the Philippine
government to handle it has also given a chance to the corrupt government officials to peruse
their own interest instead of serving the people.

I’ve seen the corruption that has played since the first months of the quarantine from
small types of corruption to the local government group to the grand type corruption of in the
national government. Due to the quarantine the government has given the local government
groups subsidy or financial assistance to give to the Filipino citizens to ensure that they will have
something to eat or buy foods, when there’s money there is always corruption this is when I saw
the petty corruption in our Barangay although it’s a small scale operation it has shown me that
everyone can be tempted to steal money even the most pure hearted people.

On the other hand, the grand corruption that I have seen during this quarantine is the
philhealth corruption issue were almost 15-billion pesos were suddenly missing this is an
example of a large-scale corruption during this quarantine. This kind of corruption can really
affect the nation’s progress.

It’s sad to say that I this time of crisis corrupt officials still manage to do their steal
money from the government, thus worsening our current situation I think the only hope we can
prevail to this crisis is with the unity of the people and forgetting about greed.