“Mitigating Corruption Risks Amidst the Pandemic”
Democracy Watch Philippines Statement
Democracy Watch Philippines calls for vigilance to ensure transparent and accountable governance despite the pandemic. Earlier this year, the Philippines received a failing score of 34 out of 100 in Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). In 2020, the Philippines placed 115th out of 180 countries, lower than its rank in the previous year.
The unprecedented impact of the pandemic has created conditions in which risks such as corruption, fraud, and human rights violations can thrive. If not properly addressed, these could contribute to democratic backsliding, government instability, and social inequality.
These risks are present even in the Philippine government’s flagship “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program. This administration has long stressed the importance of prioritizing the country’s infrastructure sector to encourage investments, generate jobs, and stimulate economic growth in the country. Over the years, however, allegations of corruption and fraud have hampered the implementation of supposed several high impact infrastructure projects.
Examples of these controversial projects are the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project and the Kaliwa Dam Project. These Chinese-funded infrastructure projects have moved forward under the current administration despite the lack of transparency in the selection of their contractors and their potential impact on indigenous communities and the environment.
Senators and other government officials have also expressed serious concerns about China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” and the inclusion of state-owned Chinese firms that were allegedly involved in the construction of artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. The participation of these Chinese firms in the country’s infrastructure development only adds to the already serious concern surrounding China’s predatory lending practices and unsustainable loans.
As Filipinos continue to transition to the new normal, there is a crucial need to prevent and curb corruption in government. By allowing greater public participation and supporting the role of civil society organizations, the government need not work alone in fighting corruption. Vigilant civil society organizations and citizens are essential in this battle.
At this critical time, all sectors of society must work together to foster transparency and accountability to ensure that our country’s economic recovery, crisis response, and overall public financial management are not derailed by bad governance.