Angara urges national strategy to combat corruption

Citing the problem of corruption and the efforts to address it, Senator Edgardo J. Angara today recommended a devised national strategy comprised of improved political leadership, enhanced participation of the private sector as well as civil society, and better legislation to reduce corruption.

"All over the developing world, corruption is leaving in its wake desperately impoverished people and weakened public institutions. In our country, corruption has robbed our people precious little resources that could have otherwise funded schools, clinics, and roads," said Angara who attended the 2nd Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) held in Arusha, Tanzania in Africa recently.

GOPAC is an international network of parliamentarians formed in 2002 dedicated to good governance and combating corruption globally. It was founded in Ottawa, Canada with 170 founding members. Angara is the only Asian parliamentarian in the executive board. He is also the chair of South East Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC).

"There is a linear relationship between corruption and development. As in many other endeavors, however, political leadership spells the difference. The performance and attitude of government determines whether the efforts to combat corruption will succeed or not. But the government cannot do it all alone. The private sector and civil society must get firmly on board too. Various sectors help combat corruption if they perform their roles in a concentrated and coordinated manner," he continued.

Angara also noted another factor that contributes to corruption in politics and lack of good governance; that is, the lack of ideological base of political parties.

"Since principles and platform come secondary to perks and privileges, few political parties in the country have stood out as a genuine organization that attracts members united for a common ideological cause. If we can establish political parties that create a new breed of politicians willing to stand up for what their constituents believe in, instead of kowtowing to the vested interests of financiers, we will have taken a giant step to addressing corruption," Angara said.