by Ike Seneres
Among marketing professionals, a well-known rule of thumb is that before promoting a product, one must first understand it inside and out. Another unwritten rule follows: “Know the enemy,” meaning to analyze the competition in detail. These principles apply not only to marketing but also to one of society’s most pressing challenges: corruption.
But who, exactly, is the enemy in the fight against corruption? Is it a hidden syndicate operating from the shadows? Or is it something much closer to home? Walt Kelly’s famous quote from his comic strip Pogo comes to mind: “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”
As unsettling as it is, corruption is often not just the work of sinister organizations—it is embedded in everyday actions, norms, and even the mindset of ordinary people who live by double standards. Speak to some government employees, and you might hear that bribes are part of “kalakalan”—a way of life.
Corruption has become so ingrained that it is perceived as a cultural norm rather than a crime. Estimates suggest that around 20% of the Philippine national budget—roughly ₱700 billion—is lost to corruption annually. This staggering amount could otherwise fund essential services like housing, healthcare, and food security.
Efforts to combat corruption are ongoing through reforms, transparency initiatives, and public accountability. Yet, the true scale of corruption is difficult to quantify. Some experts argue that it could be even higher than 20%, as much of it remains undetected.
The challenge is not a lack of laws—the Philippines has the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713), and agencies like the Office of the Ombudsman and the Commission on Audit (COA)—but weak enforcement, lack of political will, and systemic corruption prevail.
Could it be that corruption is driven by greed? Do people become corrupt when they exchange their love for God with the love of riches? Perhaps they do not realize that they begin to idolize money, leading to a conflict between serving God and serving wealth.
The Bible warns: “You cannot serve both God and Mammon.” (Matthew 6:24). Eventually, corruption becomes a moral choice between love for God and love for money. Christian teachings suggest that corruption leads to graft—the act of misusing public office for personal gain.
Philippine law recognizes graft as a subset of corruption, criminalizing acts such as bribery, undue advantage, and abuse of power. Yet, for many who engage in corruption, stealing from the government is no longer seen as theft but as “kalakalan”—a routine practice. Some even justify their actions by donating a portion of stolen money to religious institutions, believing this compensates for their wrongdoing.
The Philippines has multiple anti-corruption agencies, including the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Office of the Ombudsman. These institutions work on programs such as Project Kasangga and the National Anti-Corruption Program of Action (NACPA) to address corruption.
However, despite these efforts, many corrupt individuals go unpunished due to political interference, weak enforcement, or lack of resources. At its core, systemic corruption is not just a series of isolated incidents but a deeply embedded practice affecting all levels of governance.
When bribery, favoritism, and embezzlement become routine, accountability erodes, public trust weakens, and essential services suffer. To break this cycle, reforms must strengthen institutions, enhance transparency, and foster a culture of accountability.
So, who is the enemy in this fight against corruption? Is it not those who have chosen the love of money over the love of God? Perhaps these individuals still attend church while maintaining double standards, believing they can serve two masters. But corruption is not just a legal issue—it is a moral and cultural battle.
The real challenge is to transform mindsets, enforce laws with integrity, and ensure that corruption is not just condemned but eradicated from daily life. Only then can we hope for a nation where integrity prevails over greed.
