Even more frustrating for PRRD is realizing that his no let-up war against drugs seems to be unending.

Corruption is pandemic because it has metamorphosed into a mode of survival.

In the tribal context of the “fittest and the fastest,” corruption has become the convenient mode of survival based on artificial socio-cultural phenotypes or heritable traits that would ensure a natural selection for longevity not only of the corrupt himself but his generational succession.

The corrupt is inevitably confronted with or challenged by both the power in his hands and the fleetingness of the opportune time available for corrupt activities.

Government postings are functional examples of this, namely, the short term and the power advantage of the position. Even in the legitimate desire to be materially advantaged, the value of chronic hard work can defeat that desire and, therefore, speeding up the process of accumulation through corrupt practices becomes the mode of action.

Many of those who are placed in short-term positions such as in the military brass or Cabinet positions or bureau postings, especially among those at the top posts, must be hurrying up, given the six-year power advantage to get rich.

The temptation is simply irresistible. It would seem that the moral ethos of the natural conscience has been replaced by the more persuasive ethic of “if you can’t lick them, join them.”

The infamous SOP, the budgetary insertions, pork barrel, the “requirements” such as bribing “Eddie’’ (Eh di ako) or “Pattie” (Pati sila) and “Eba” (At iba pa) are now an imbedded culture almost impossible to dismantle.

Years ago, a friend of mine was apprehended because his taxi’s plate number was used in a robbery-holdup. My friend insisted that he has already decommissioned that plate number a year ago when he shifted his car from a utility vehicle to private use.

From the front desk records, we discovered that the update has not been inputted in the computer data. An insider whispered that it is best to go directly to the department boss, because the real data is in his floppy disk, but we should bring sizeable cash to get it!

Goodness, even that which rightfully belongs to my friend, such as data records are needed to be bought!

In my disgust, I contemplated on filing a complaint but my friend begged me not to. Well, again that is a mode of survival for him; I can’t blame him. He prefers peace and quiet.

In the world today, it is no longer a matter of living, but of surviving, not only the present but the unpredictable future, especially in a country like ours where being poor is a scary lifetime hellish condemnation and being rich, an enviable reward.

However, corruption is nowhere in the heart of man’s natural disposition; it must be hidden somewhere in his “fallen nature” awaiting to assert itself when the incantations of the need to survive provokes it.

When President Rodrigo Duterte, in a speech, offered to resign midstream, it was a veiled sigh of frustration over the extent of corruption even among his own people and supporters in government.

How can he weed out the field when the number of weeds has seemingly overtaken that of the wheat.

Even more frustrating for PRRD is realizing that his no let-up war against drugs seems to be unending.

Indeed, how can you put an end to the bane of addiction when there is a boon of drugs entering under the noses of the Customs bureau personnel worth billions of pesos and, of course, worth the lives and future of our youth.

How can we eliminate corruption, when it has become the present-day mode of survival.