We need to enforce the law

The President signed into law the anti-red tape bill, now known as Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 or Rep. Act 9485. It will take effect starting next month.

This law punishes fixers with up to six years in prison or a fine of P200,000. Public officials colluding with fixers face dismissal and permanent disqualification from public office. Less serious offenses face suspension.

The number of signatures for transactions is less than five. And whistle blowers are guaranteed protection. Can we do it? I have been cynical and afraid, this will be just another useless law of which we have very many. Laws we don't lack. What we need is enforcement of these laws.

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I can't count on my fingers the series of "reforms" trumpeted to have been done by every President. But in every reform, corrupt officials still go around the law and commit the same graft and with impunity.

In all these, the problem has been the Presidents, each of them lack the political will to stop corruption. I recall when Ramon Magsaysay was president, he drove home the point he would not tolerate corruption.

On the spot, during his sorties in the provinces, he would fire a government employee reported to be a grafter. A story was told that he banged the table with his fist and broke the glass when his younger brother Genaro brought a friend and interceded for a government transaction.

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When Marcos declared Martial Law, one reason was to curb graft and corruption. But he was chased out of office for graft and corruption.

Corazon Aquino was no help. Corruption even more than doubled. Fidel Ramos failed to correct it. Joseph Estrada is now in jail for economic plunder after the people threw him out of office.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made it worse. Under her administration Transparency International declared the Philippines to be the most corrupt country in the world.

Unless she turns this around in the next three years, GMA might live in history as the most corrupt.

Cutting red tape is not enough. What is needed is the political will of the President and the lower officials will just follow. What she needs is just to send to jail the known grafters. But, I don't know what has happened to General Carlos F. Garcia who was found to have pocketed hundreds of millions? Is there a whitewash? And the many Generals? Where is Bolante?

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Before R.A. 9485 was signed my British friend Neil Honeyman, retired head of Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption, texted me to suggest to "your friend Monico" to see to it that payment for public works projects be made straight from the country's treasury to the public works contractors. This is cutting red tape.

If Congressman Puentevella can do this and pursues it with his usual vigor, he can win as Senator in 2010. I am not kidding.

The issue in 2010 will be graft and corruption against the administration and its candidates. With money, local candidates can be made to win. But, I am afraid its Senatorial slate will be wiped out, including who it will present to run for President.

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But the tide can be turned. The President reverses what the Nacionalista Party did in 1953 when, to defeat then President Elpidio Quirino, they imported the popular Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay to run for President to beat Quirino who they were afraid would cheat them.

In 2010, GMA can import well known fighter against graft from the Opposition to run as President. In politics, anything goes. On jail many grafters.

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But, lest we miss the point, a fight against corruption is better done by the people and not only by government officials.

Why not report and testify against corrupt acts of people in government? Give whistle blowers rewards upon conviction of the corrupt. But the main line of defense is the media. It's good the President asked for its help. I hope Dr. Domingo Vega will allow media to look into the alleged accusation of graft in the purchases of supplies.

If Dr. Vega is innocent he has nothing to fear. Let the axe fall where it may. And for our media, stay put. We need to know the real score.

Let us stand up against corruption. But, we must spare the innocent.*

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