2000年-世界发展银行全球_Philippines___Combating_Corruption_in_the_Philippines_127页_13mb

Summary of "Combating Corruption in the Philippines"

Core Content

This report, prepared by the World Bank in May 2000, outlines the challenges of corruption in the Philippines and proposes a comprehensive strategy to combat it. It emphasizes the importance of anti-corruption efforts in the context of development and governance, highlighting the need for stronger public action and institutional reforms.

Main Points

1. Why a Stronger Anticorruption Program Now?

• International Perspective: Corruption in the Philippines is a major barrier to investment and economic growth. It is seen as a key determinant in the allocation of development aid.
• Economic Impact: Corruption reduces the effectiveness of poverty reduction strategies and distorts access to essential services for the poor.
• Public Perception: A significant portion of the population perceives corruption as widespread and believes the government is not doing enough to address it.
• Government Strategy: The MTPDP (Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan) 1999-2004 acknowledges corruption as a critical issue that must be tackled to achieve growth and equity objectives.

2. Prevalence of Corruption

• Public Perception: A 1998 survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) found that nearly two-thirds of Filipinos believed corruption existed in the government, with 38% saying there was a "great deal" of corruption.
• Corruption Perception Index (CPI): The Philippines scored 3.6 on the CPI in 1999, placing it as the 55th least corrupt country out of 99.
• Public Fund Losses: Estimates from the Ombudsman, Commission on Audit, and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism indicate substantial losses due to corruption in both political and bureaucratic sectors.
• Private Sector Involvement: Corruption is not limited to the public sector. A 1998 survey showed that 52% of Filipinos believed corruption occurs in the private sector as well, and 66% thought both businesspersons and government officials were guilty in such cases.

3. Government Strategy and Plans

• MTPDP Initiatives: The MTPDP outlines several strategies to combat corruption, including:
  • Enhancing government efficiency and accountability through performance monitoring and IT investment.
  • Improving economic governance with new accounting systems and privatization.
  • Eliminating graft and corruption through policy reforms and institutional changes.
• Political Considerations: A political strategy is essential, including:
  • Designating a single leader to coordinate anticorruption efforts.
  • Focusing on "low-hanging fruit" to build momentum.
  • Aligning with favorable political forces and involving civil society, the media, and the private sector.
  • Addressing high-level corruption through targeted actions against "big fish."
  • Creating a public awareness campaign and supporting legislative reforms.

4. Lessons from Asian and Global Experience

• Political Leadership: Strong political commitment is essential for the success of any anti-corruption program.
• Comprehensive Strategy: A well-designed and well-led strategy is more effective than isolated efforts.
• Institutional Independence: The anticorruption agency must be incorruptible and independent from police control.
• Reducing Opportunities: Deregulation and policy reforms can reduce the chances of corruption.
• Incentives and Salaries: Increasing salaries can reduce corruption, especially in vulnerable agencies.
• Contextualization: Anticorruption strategies should be part of a broader vision for governance reform, including client consultation, performance-based pay, and privatization with regulation.

5. A Proposed Nine-Point Approach

The report recommends the following nine key elements for an effective national anticorruption program:

• Reducing Opportunities for Corruption: Through policy reforms and deregulation.
• Reforming Campaign Finance: Addressing the dysfunctional incentives in electoral politics.
• Increasing Public Oversight: Enhancing transparency and accountability through citizen charters and public feedback mechanisms.
• Reforming Budget Processes: Improving financial management and reducing discretionary funds.
• Improving Meritocracy in the Civil Service: Enhancing performance evaluation and financial compensation.
• Targeting Specific Departments and Agencies: Focusing on high-corruption areas such as BIR, BOC, DPWH, and others.
• Enhancing Sanctions Against Corruption: Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.
• Developing Partnerships with the Private Sector: Involving the private sector in anti-corruption efforts.
• Supporting Judicial Reform: Ensuring the judiciary is independent and effective in combating corruption.

Key Information

• Donors and Partners: The World Bank, along with other international donors, has been involved in supporting the Philippines' anti-corruption efforts.
• Civil Society: Active participation of civil society is essential for accountability and transparency.
• Institutional Capacity: Strengthening the capacity of institutions, particularly the Office of the Ombudsman, is a key component of the strategy.
• Public Engagement: The report emphasizes the importance of public engagement and awareness in the fight against corruption.
• Historical Context: Transparency International's CPI for the Philippines has shown a steady improvement from 1980-85 to 1999, indicating some progress but still a long way to go.

Conclusion

The report calls for a unified and comprehensive anticorruption program, led by strong political will and supported by the private sector, civil society, and international donors. It outlines a nine-point strategy to reduce opportunities for corruption, enhance accountability, and reform key institutions. The Philippines has the potential to make significant strides in combating corruption, but sustained effort and political commitment are necessary to achieve lasting change.