Ebojo 1

MODULE 8
NAME: EBOJO, MEYNARD
PROFESSOR: ANN MARGARIT P. BERSANO, MPA (CAR)
SUBJECT: Political Governance with Philippine Constitution
DATE: DECEMBER 2, 2020
I. Self-Learning Activity
Activity 1-1
To enrich your learning of this module, please do the task below:
Watch either one of these videos, “P700 billion lost yearly due to corruption” from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R82hnLdn6m4 and the “Legal Term: Graft and
Corruption” from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94WnDZrILC8. Make a one-page
response paper to the video chosen. Please cite at least twice from the video by quoting a
sentence or two to support your argument(s).
P700 billion lost yearly due to corruption
Decades had passed, several revolutions happened yet, our country remains in gray.
The progress most of us crave are being denied with no clear and reliable fact that can point
out the root cause of such suffering. Upon watching the video, I had come to realize that
out of the many factors/reasons, corruptions in our government agencies are the most
probable cause of our poverty. Accordingly, it is the crime inside the Philippine
Government offices that has been passed from different administrations. Further, over the
past years our country Philippines remains in the 6th rank of the most corrupt country
in Asia Pacific. Unfortunate to note that our trusted officials whom we believe will serve
our country with integrity, honesty, justice and equity are the ones who pulled us down -
situating our lives in severe hunger and injustices. Many of us suffered from poverty,
unsatisfied medical services, substandard infrastructures and many more problems our
country had, supposedly be alleviated if our officials are dedicated and committed to serve
our country selflessly. As mentioned in the video, the Php 7 billion worth of money kept by
our government officials could have been utilized in building houses for thousands of poor
Filipinos, provided medical services and purchased buffer stock of rice that could have
eased our lives and contributed in acquiring progress for our nation. Truly we are wretched.
We/our parents shed sweats and exerted efforts under both comfortable and uncomfortable
settings, pay exact taxes as part of their obligations, yet funds are not being utilized for the
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betterment of our nation, rather to satisfy the greed of our officials. Indeed inhumane
and unlawful. As such, this malfeasance in our government is a manifestation that we need
to have a reform starting from the very root to the stems of our government. We need to
amplify our laws and redesign our structures for it is clearly stated that even though we
already have laws designed to provide sanctions to this kind of criminality, the process of
seeking justice on behalf of all Filipinos is difficult to achieve for aside from this kind of
activity is being done secretly and privately, we lack prosecutors and proper observation in
the application of laws. We have many laws for our protection and security that have not
been applied and practiced in concrete context. Thereupon, if we truly aim for progress,
then we must strictly start observing establishment of responsibility and discipline within
ourselves/within our government offices for change.

II. Looking Back

Activity 1-2
Check your understanding of the module by answering the assessment below.
I. KNOWLEDGE. (2 points each)
Identify the following:
1. Deconcentration This pertains to the transfer of power and authority from central
institution to lower or local levels of a government system.
2. Devolution The transfer authority for decision-making, finance, and management to
quasi-autonomous units of local government with corporate status.
3. Republic act No. 7160 of 1991 It is also known as the Local Government of 1991?
4. Barangay The smallest level of LGU.
5. Seal of Good Governance This monitors and awards LGUs, with good performance
in internal housekeeping, specifically in the areas of local legislation.

II. COMPREHENSION AND ANALYSIS. (5 points each)

1. Discuss the central premise behind the idea presented by decentralization in the
local government.
- Decentralization is the practice that the local government officials are given
autonomy at a certain level. This gives us the idea that through such implementation
of RA 7160, our governing body gained/possessed more power and authority of the
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resources and responsibilities in delivering their services to the community.

Moreover, decentralization enables our local government to have had the ability to
provide responsive, more focused and timely recognition to any problems and
affairs that are existing may possibly arise in the community. Lastly, it also
develops a community into a more active and self-reliant, managed with an ensured
transparency and accountability yielding to progressive and orderly performing
localities which will serve as the key in achieving national goals.

2. What do you think are the serious flaws of the Local Government Code?
- The serious flaws that I can point out in the Local Government Code are: prevalent
corruption, the notable exercise of political dynasty, as well as the practice of hiring
an employee that is assessed through the connection of the incumbent officials
inside the office. In the Local Government Code, it neither focused nor provided
any solution to the issue of corruption, which in fact the setup of decentralization
itself is subject to intensify this rampant issue since our ideal characteristics of an
official e.g. honesty, commitment and integrity are not always observed and
applied. Also, knowing that political dynasties are very noticeable in almost every
locality, this may keep the community from progressive since the way of ruling is
the same with the previous administration. It is stated that political dynasty is an act,
not encouraged yet existing because, still, there is no law that provides sanction to
this kind of practice. Lastly, as much as we want quality of service from different
local offices, it is not hundred percent achievable for some of the employees don't
undergo job qualification screening, rather they are hired due to connection -
supporter of the incumbent official.