By Virgilio L. Leyretana, Sr.
Viewed in the context of numerous reports from ongoing investigations, testimonies from multiple sources, and other concerned sectors of the Filipino society, indisputable substantial evidence has confirmed the vicious cycle of massive graft and corruption scandals encompassing “ghost” anti-flooding structural barriers and other substandard infrastructures like roads, bridges,
including hospitals, health centers, as well as school buildings, classrooms.
Indisputable evidence show that systemic and cyclical corruption also plagues the
healthcare sector, and is embedded at various levels, from the national public insurance agency to local facilities and private contractors.
The complex and multifaceted nature of healthcare system, with its numerous
stakeholders, and large financial flows, makes it highly vulnerable to corruption. As reported, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporations is consistently at the center of large scale corruption scandals manifesting in “ghost patients”, “upcasing”claims where there is allegedly misrepresentation or exaggeration of patient’s condition to claim higher insurance benefits which diminish the quality of care.
As investigations continues, it appears that Philippine agriculture is not spared from corruption. As the facts surfaced, corruption in agriculture is systemic occurring at all levels and stages of the supply chain from the distribution of government-subsidized materials to large- scale smuggling – as in the case of the smuggled onions from China and the interlocking rice traders and dummy brokers used by smugglers with the complicity of Customs officials who were allegedly paid kickbacks.
Based on recent reports and ongoing investigations into large-scale infrastructure
scandals revealed allegations that corruption in agriculture projects includes farm-to-market roads and flood control systems being deliberately made substandard to allow massive kickbacks.
Ongoing investigations also show that corruption in Philippine agriculture is manifested in the politicized rice importation by the National Food Authority* (NFA). Food importation are corruptly timed to arrive during local harvest season causing domestic market prices to drop below farmers production costs. The Rice Tariffication Law which was intended to curb corruption in rice importation has led to income losses for farmers. This undercut local producers, leading to job losses, thus making local farming unprofitable and unsustainable thus, discouraging the rural youth farmers to engage in agri-ventures.
As more revelations unfolds, evidences indicates that corruption is also impacting on the educational curricula, nepotism in teachers appointments, assignments and promotions. It also involves misallocation of funds and procurement fraud that leads to substandard educational materials and facilities, and exacerbation of existing inequalities between urban centers and rural areas. These corrupt practices compromise educational quality, undermine meritocracy, and erode public trust in the system.
It is yet impossible to provide a definite total estimate for all infrastructure anomalies involving the DPWH, and implicating certain incumbent and former congressmen and senators, and high ranking officials of other government agencies and institutions, as investigations are still going on and new cases continue to surface.
However, as reported by Secretary Ralph Recto, there was P118 billion pesos of “ghost” flood control projects between 2023 and 2024. While Congressman Isidro Ungab revealed that P680 billion pesos was poured into flood control projects from 2023 to 2025, this is still subject to full accounting of how funds were spent.
As more details emerge, the colossal scale of the amounts shocks widespread
astonishment. It shocks the conscience, staggers the imagination, and defies comprehension.
The extent and stench of this monstrous anomalies are deluging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). While the backlash is cascading across the entire spectrum of government and affecting everyone from top officials to lower level bureaucrats. How was it possible to commit such unconscionable frauds is a bizarre phenomenon when viewed against the backdrop of the Philippine government’s multi-layered legal frameworks independent oversight bodies, internal controls, and technology.
What happened to the numerous government watchdogs encompassing a wide range of unquantifiable range of government offices, civil society organizations, media groups, and such as independent constitutional commissions, statutory bodies, and non- governmental organizations (NGOs) that are supposed to monitor Different levels of government including finance, elections, human rights and anti-corruption measures.
Why were those anomalies not detected earlier and prevented? How and why those
unconscionable anomalies were committed only those with greed for power and insatiable lust for wealth knows. Suffice it to say, however, that no plausible explanation can atone the commission of such abominable acts.
Why were those anomalies not detected earlier by any or all the numerous government watchdogs encompassing a wide range of unquantifiable range of government offices, civil society organizations, and media groups? Why were those abuses of funds and fraud not prevented promptly and more effectively, despite the existence of independent constitutional commissions, statutory bodies, and non-governmental organizations NGOs tasked with monitoring different levels of government? Why are constitutional and oversight bodies unable
to prevent government fraud and abuse of funds expeditiously?
The assertion that those congressmen and senators were compelled to commit graft allegedly because they were pestered by their mendicant supporters for monetary support does not legally justify or excuse a public official’s commission of graft and is not a valid defense. Political pressures and demands from supporters do not alter the illegal nature of the action. Claiming that the act was done due to pressure from supporters do not invalidate the corrupt nature of the act.
How was it possible to commit such gargantuan anomalies is a bizarre phenomenon when viewed against the backdrop of the Philippine government’s multi-layered legal frameworks, independent oversight bodies, internal controls and technology.
In the light of numerous serious and documented social and economic problems, issues and challenges, confronting the country, the question arises as to whether the situation has become the Philippines governance armageddon?
Are the interconnected problems now confronting the Philippines the consequence of “kakistocracy” or – “governance by the worst and the least qualified as characterized by the ongoing political in-fighting, widespread anomalies, cronyism, patronage, haphazard justice that is applied inconsistently, randomly, and favoring the wealthy and the powerful; persistent extra-judicial killings, erosion of democratic institutions, and suppression of free expression? Or, situation provoke a government reflecting a reality of profound and multi-layered governance,
and issues that provoke questions about the state’s integrity and effectiveness?”
What can stop corruption in the Philippines?
The ecology of graft and corruption in the Philippines is a complex dynamic system
influenced by multiple, interconnected factors rather than an individual acts. It is a systemic conditions, power dynamics, and social norms creating fertile ground for corruption to take roots and grow and become entrenched.
Corruption is one of the most consequential challenges negatively and persistently
impacting everything in the Philippines from public services to economy. It is deeply entrenched and multi-faceted issue with complex historical and social roots.
Hence the question arises, will those perpetrators of the latest incidence of corruption be held accountable? Will the corrupt officials face consequences? Will justice be served? What measures will be taken to ensure the punishment of those responsible for corruption? Will the culture of corruption be addressed? Will the systemic failures that enable corruption be reformed to prevent its recurrence?
As it appears, there is no single answer, but rather a combination of reforms,
enforcement, and cultural changes are needed. Although, if the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) itself failed to stop the persistent high levels of corruption worldwide, does the Philippine government have the institutional capacity to address deeply entrenched systemic issues? Does the government officials have the will to enforce the laws? And does the government officials have the nerve to prosecute the suspects? If the gauge is the status of those individuals found guilty in the previous corruption cases, it is disappointing that they remain out of jail, with some even elected or reelected to
positions of power.
Furthermore, with the legal leeways based on the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, RA No.7438, and the Revised Penal Code which are available for the protection of suspects including those under investigation for crimes, the accused and convicts to ensure due process and humane treatment and, with the judicial system overburdened with thousands, if not millions of cases at all levels, it is not being pessimistic to be skeptical about whether justice be done.
In hindsight, the genesis of graft and corruption is intertwined with the development of human civilization and the formation of social structures. It is not a modern phenomenon, but rather a deeply historical one that has evolved with societies. Its origins are not a single event but a combination of factors, including the accumulation of power, economic shits, and changes in cultural norms.
A look back may have unconsciously or unintentionally germinated in the family. When a child is having tantrums, the father or mother gives candy to pacify the child.
Trivial though it may seem, the parental action was an imputation of the seed of corruption on the child’s consciousness. Ancients precedents reveals evidence that corruption exist as far back as ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.
The family environment plays a critical role in shaping the child’s character and moral values, and parenting styles can influence a child’s development of ethical behavior. According to social cultural norms, corruption is learned through social influences. Retrospective analysis reveals that cultural attitudes towards nepotism, patronage, and social obligations can influence the prevalence of corruption also shows that corruption The institutional and social context of corruption.
The evolution of bribery or early forms of corruption were often tied to social exchange and reciprocity, blurring the line between gifts and bribes.
Can the vicious cycle of graft and corruption in the Philippines be stopped?
As reports show, the vicious cycle of graft and corruptions involving the Department of Public Works and Highways and affecting other government agencies and institutions, and implicating certain incumbent and former congressmen and senators, may be attributed to entrenched political dynasties and wealthy businessmen exerting influence over the state and manipulating it for private gains and creating system where connections and personal wealth
subverts democratic process.
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Judging from unimpeachable sources graft and corruption permeates the entire government and the whole gamut of society. It operates in various forms including and wealthy business magnates exerting vote buying, bribery, extortion, racketeering, fraud, tax evasion, lack of transparency, lack of sufficient enforcement of laws and rules and regulations, cronyism nepotism, impunity, kickbacks, embezzlement, nepotism, influence peddling, misallocation of
resources, procurement overpricing and underpricing of equipment, materials and supplies.
Mr Virgilio L. Leyretana Sr. served as the Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilor in Cotabato City. He was also the former Undersecretary and Chairperson of Mindanao Economic Development Council (MedCO).
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