'TELENOVELA'
MANILA, FEBRUARY 28, 2012
(PHILSTAR) By Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star)
POSTED October 02, 2011 12:00...
UP study shows 'Cory Model' still works in fight vs corruption.
A study conducted by a group of public administration practitioners and
academics from the University of the Philippines indicated that the "Cory Model"
or the strategy used by former President Corazon Aquino during her
administration could still work well for the country in the fight against
corruption.
The research team led by Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, a public finance
expert who was formerly treasurer of the Philippines, noted as a proposed
framework an expansion of the Cory Model which was used successfully.
"During the administration of President Corazon Aquino, significant
anti-corruption results were attained without creating a new agency.
She utilized the existing Cabinet structure and government arrangements which
were already in place without putting up a new organization, and without
creating new items of expenditures," Briones pointed out.
[PHOTO- Professor Leonor Magtolis Briones. COURTESY OF 'STOP AIDS
CAMPAIGN' @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/36792262@N08/]
She said it is possible to make substantial inroads against corruption
without creating a new agency.
"It is possible to work within the existing framework of government
institutions. Most important, only Filipinos can solve corruption in the
Philippines.
"This was done during the administration of the current President's mother,
the revered President Corazon Aquino," said Briones during the presentation of
their study entitled "Pinoy Solutions to Corruption" held at the UP-National
College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) Friday.
Briones further said the anti-corruption strategy of former President Cory
Aquino is so simple it does not even have to be called a strategy.
"The only new anti-corruption agency she created was the Presidential
Commission on Good Government which was tasked with the mission of recovering
ill-gotten wealth. Otherwise, she simply used the Cabinet system," she said.
The study noted, "It is likely she (Cory) did not see the need for foreign
expertise and assistance because studies and recommendations had already been
made about controlling corruption."
It also pointed out that instead of creating a separate campaign, President
(Cory) Aquino integrated anti-corruption initiatives into the regular structure
of the Executive branch, particularly the Cabinet system.
"She simply ordered all her Cabinet members and heads of agencies to study
their own organizations and formulate anti-corruption plans. They were required
to report regularly. Since each department and agency was different from the
others, the secretaries had different strategies and reported varying results,"
Briones said.
She added, "The assessment reports on President Cory's fight against
corruption show very clearly that the successes attained were largely due to the
integrity of her Cabinet members who fought the war in their own departments.
Under her leadership, her Cabinet members fought graft and corruption, each in
his own way. A clear lesson is that the quality of each Cabinet member is
crucial in an anti-corruption campaign."
The report further said, "Fundamental integrity is what President Cory and
her Cabinet bequeathed to the country. This is what presidents, including the
current, should also bequeath to the future generations."
Briones' team also stressed that only the Filipino can solve corruption.
"The government shall lead the campaign. Only the government has the
resources and power to initiate the campaign and bring it to a successful
conclusion. No less than the President will be at the helm of the campaign."
The proposed framework to fight corruption indicated that all the three
levels of the executive branch of government will be covered by the campaign –
national, local and the corporate sector. The two other branches of government –
Congress and judiciary – will be invited to join the campaign.
"All other sectors – business, professional organizations, civic
associations, schools, civil society organizations and faith-based
organizations, academic institutions and media, will also be mobilized," Briones
said.
The new framework proposes tight coordination with the two other branches of
government – legislative and judiciary. It also recommends more effective
coordination with the constitutional bodies involved in corruption control.
Briones, who is also lead convenor of Social Watch Philippines, said the
environment at this time is somewhat similar to that of former president Cory
Aquino's administration.
"There is widespread revulsion against corruption. At the same time, there is
also widespread trust in the President, whatever critics might say about his
administration. It can be said that now is the time to launch a massive,
comprehensive anti-corruption campaign."
Briones led the research team with professors Danilo Reyes and Ma. Oliva
Domingo of the UP-NCPAG as members.
EARLIER REPORT FROM ABS-CBN
Briones: Anti-corruption fight like 'telenovela'
by David Dizon, abs-cbnNEWS.com Posted at 09/26/2011 11:11 PM |
Updated as of 09/26/2011 11:11 PM
Former National Treasurer urges 'Cory model' to fight corruption
MANILA, Philippines - A former Cabinet official believes the
government of President Benigno Aquino III can eliminate corruption by following
the example set by his mother, former President Cory Aquino.
In an interview, former National Treasurer Leonor Magtolis Briones (photo
at left) said the younger Aquino would do well to follow the "Cory model" to
eliminate corruption in different government agencies and departments one by
one.
"Ang Cory model ay simple lang. Cory had no additional budget, did not get
money from multinationals. She just made her government work. She appointed
Cabinet officials who were responsible and oversaw anti-corruption programs,"
she told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
Briones said the "Cory model" entails a no-nonsense approach by the Office of
the Ombudsman and state auditors to graft.
She said the model will also need the help of the legislature and the
judiciary since the 2 other branches of government are tainted with corruption.
She said the business community, civil society and media will also play
important roles in curbing corruption.
Briones, who served as National Treasurer during the Estrada administration,
said she believes that
the incumbent President can do better in fighting
graft.
"I believe so. For one thing, there's more expertise and experience. There
are more groups monitoring corruption. Wag lang tatantanan at titigilan. Wag sa
umpisa lang at biglang magsasawa. We have to get the Pinoy way of doing things,"
she said.
'Like a telenovela'
Briones said anti-corruption efforts are like a "telenovela" in search of a
happy ending. She noted that while many irregularities were exposed, there is
little to no resolution and the people lost interest.
"Sa telenovela, hindi pwede masyado matagal dahil mawawalan interes ang tao,"
she said.
She also noted that there should be a "Fear Factor" approach in fighting
corruption by ensuring that Filipinos know all the rules. For example, she said
many Filipinos who break traffic rules elsewhere are "behaved" when they reach
Makati.
"Bakit ang taga-Quezon City kapag pumunta sa Makati ang bait? Kasi alam nila
ang traffic mahigpit dun," he said.
Pinoy Solutions to Corruption
Briones recently led a research team to look into "Pinoy Solutions to
Corruption" based on the strategy used by the late President Cory Aquino during
her administration. The two other members of the team are Profs. Danilo R. Reyes
and Ma.Oliva Domingo,
She said her research showed that there have been several "wins" in the fight
against corruption in several government agencies through efficient systems and
fast delivery of services.
She also mentioned instances of spectacular agency reforms in the past where
corruption was stopped in its tracks, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the
Department of Public Highways, the Commission on Audit, and the Philippine
National Police.
On the other hand, she also noted that reports of corruption in government
started increasing after 2004 despite the rise of several anti-corruption
monitoring groups.
Results of the study are set to be presented in a symposium at the National
College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines
on Tuesday.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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