What maketh good governance?

Is it a combination of both a good auditor and a good Ombudsman?

If the Commission on Audit (CoA) had disallowed the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) money received by the senators and congressmen as a bribe to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona—and held them accountable and recommended them for appropriate action by the Ombudsman---many senators and congressmen may not be in their present positions. Bribery and unconstitutionality are solid bases for disallowance.

The dysfunctional CoA from 2011 to 2021 disabled the auditor. Doing nothing is worse than having done the wrong thing.

During Cory Aquino’s time, the pork barrel was established with the creation of the Countryside Development Fund (CDF) in 1990, which later evolved into the PDAF. This system allowed legislators to fund small-scale infrastructure and community projects in their districts covered by the national budget. While the intention was to empower legislators to support local needs, the system was susceptible to abuse and was eventually declared unconstitutional.

The misuse of the PDAF led to public outrage and legal challenges, culminating in the Supreme Court declaring the PDAF unconstitutional in 2013. The court ruled that it violated the constitutional boundaries by allowing legislators to intervene in the implementation of the budget.

The PDAF scam was estimated to have defrauded the Philippines of about P10 billion from 2007 to 2009 with an additional P900 million lost from Malampaya gas field royalties. The fund was diverted through a network of fake NGOs to individuals like Janet Lim-Napoles, certain members of Congress, and other government officials.

The PDAF anomaly may have been the most sensational and disgusting at the time, evoking a strong sense of revulsion among the people, until the present raging public works flood control scandal that has ensnared engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

But as of now there is no sign at least two of the high-profile suspects will be successfully prosecuted, if only to assuage the suspicions of the public.

There is now the perception that corrupt officials are not held accountable, further entrenching the problem.

From P10 billion in stolen PDAF funds, the loot is now in the trillions of pesos—and why should the thieves stop stealing when the authorities and the courts are failing yet again?

It is a shame that corruption in the Philippines is now known globally as a widespread issue involving various forms, including bribery, embezzlement, and patronage, that affect governance and public services. Key problems include the loss of billions in public funds, especially from infrastructure and health, and the lack of accountability for officials. Recent surveys show people demanding accountability and reforms.

Officials and businesses engage in practices like bribery, with a significant percentage of businesses having to pay bribes to operate.

Funds are embezzled through fraudulent schemes, such as overpriced infrastructure projects and fake billing of services like PhilHealth dialysis treatments.

There is a lack of transparency in government transactions, and weak enforcement of laws and policies hinders effective oversight.