These
days, pigs have reason to be very angry with humans, especially
the Filipino variety. Pigs are bred and mercilessly killed for
food. No feast is complete without a lechon as centerpiece. At
the same time, some of the worst human characteristics are ascribed
to pigs.
A greedy, gluttonous and filthy person
is called a pig. Male chauvinists are called pigs. Someone who
is stubborn, stupid and obstinate is called pig-headed. A dirty
home is described as a pigsty. Avaricious, contemptible people
are called swine.
In Philippine politics, the pig has been
immortalized in the pork barrel, which is perceived by citizens
as epitomizing political greed and corruption. And now, we have
what University of the Philippines professor Harry Roque describes
as “The Grand Swine Scam.”
In 2005 the Commission on Audit (COA)
reported that Quedancorp spent P1.66 billion for the purchase
of swine which was to be distributed to poor families for breeding.
However, only P176 million was actually received by farmer/beneficiaries.
“An overwhelming number of farmers
were made to sign receipts for swine which they never received
for sums ranging from P200-P300 per signature,” according
to the report. Ghost delivery was evident.
I have heard of all sorts of ghost deliveries—office
supplies and equipment, furniture, books, drugs and medicines—but
swine!
Roque indignantly pointed out that the
procurement of P1.66 billion worth of swine was done without bidding
and supplied by four companies with interlocking directorates.
These firms were not even accredited as swine-breeder farms by
the Department of Agriculture! Now, who are avaricious and greedy:
the humans or the ghost swine?
Three years ago the COA already recommended
the filing of charges against responsible officials.
Roque shudders to think that the President has announced that
P40 billion will be made available for rice support to the very
same office and officials who squandered nearly P2 billion for
swine.
It is time to stop insulting pigs and
other animals by attributing human gluttony and avarice to them.
I once saw a cushion in the shape of the
pig with the words: “Don’t call me a male chauvinist!
I am not a human!”
It is time for pigs to organize themselves
and carry placards saying “Don’t call us greedy and
corrupt! We are not human!”
The truth according to the World
Bank
Many reports and statements were circulated
during the recently concluded Philippine Development Forum. The
government circulated reports boasting about a 7.3-percent gross
domestic product growth in 2007 and glowing with optimistic predictions
about economic and social development.
The FSGO (former senior government officials)
statement focused on “systemic political corruption”
and challenged both government and the donor community.
On the other hand, Social Watch Philippines shared its actual
experience in campaigning and lobbying for additional funds for
Millennium Development Goals-related expenditures. Corruption
in the highest places was cited in interviews.
Among the donors, the World Bank directly
touched on topics closest to the concerns of the donor community
in its draft report, Accelerating Inclusive Growth and Deepening
Fiscal Stability.
The report was prepared by a nine-man
team of senior economists. It was reviewed by two peer reviewers,
with additional inputs from six other economists.
While the report was restricted in distribution, it was picked
up by the media. One of the most interesting chapters is on governance.
The report called for the strengthening of governance and the
quality of Philippine public institutions. It observed that “in
spite of a strong civil-society presence, an open media and highly
capable individuals working in public administration, most governance
indicators have fallen substantially over the last decade and
are also lower than the average for middle-income East Economies.”
Furthermore, the report cited Transparency
International’s Corruption, Perception Index which suggests
that “corruption in the Philippines has worsened significantly
more than other countries.”
The World Bank observes that “corruption
is, perhaps, the most visibly recognizable characteristic of weak
governance.”
The most popular table in the report summarizes
the biggest corruption cases over a period of 20 years under different
presidents. Ironically, the personalities involved in corruption
cases two decades ago are also among the biggest and most powerful
at present.
Much of what the World Bank says about corruption in the Philippines
has already been said by Filipinos. They have written about it,
exposed it in hearings and shouted it in rallies. The government
has dismissed the accusations of Filipinos. This time, the World
Bank is saying it.
Will the government finally listen?
(Ms.
Leonor Briones is a former National Treasurer of the Republic
of the Philippines. She is currently teaching at the University
of the Philippines' National College of Public Administration
and Governance. She is also a co-convenor of Social Watch Philippines.)
From
pork (barrel) to swine