Surge in corruption perception second lowest since 2000 – Palace

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the latest survey on the business sector that noted an increase in perception of corruption in government, a Malacañang official claimed the 2013 percentage is still the second lowest rate in the past 13 years.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.  said the 56 percentage of business persons who saw a “lot” of corruption in the public sector according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, is still the second lowest since 2000.

He acknowledged, though, that the 2013 figure is still an increase from the record-low 43 percent in 2012.

“Bagaman ipinakita sa SWS survey na may pagtaas ng bilang ng mga nagsasabing marami ang katiwalian … mula pinakamababang antas … sinasabi rin ng SWS survey na ito na ang 56 percent na naitala noong 2013 ay maituturing pa rin na pangalawang pinakamababa na antas simula nang taong 2000,” Coloma said in an interview over DZRB on Sunday.

(Although the SWS survey said there was an increase in the number of business persons who saw a surge in corruption, the same survey said the 56 percent recorded in 2013 is still the second lowest rate since 2000.)

The second lowest rate meant that the business community still maintained confidence in the government’s efforts to curb corruption, Coloma said.

He cited the increase to a new record-high 70 percent in 2013 from 69 percent in 2012 that noted they are satisfied with the national government’s efforts to promote a good business climate.

Coloma also cited a decrease in percentage of business persons who said they were asked for bribes to pass government transactions. The survey said a record-low 44 percent said they were solicited for bribes, down from 50 percent in 2012 and 60 percent in 2009.

“Kung kaya sa kabila ng pagbabago sa (pananaw) sa katiwalian sa pamahalaan, nananatiling mataas ang kumpyansa ng mga negosyante sa kakayahan ng gobyerno na maisaayos ang lipunan,” Coloma said.

(Despite the change in perception on corruption in government, business persons remain confident that the government is capable of restructuring the society.)

But the same survey noted findings that show dissatisfaction in the government’s anti-corruption drive.

According to the SWS survey, those with personal knowledge of public sector corruption in the last three months rose to 38 percent in 2013 from a record-low 33 percent in 2012. The latest percentage, however, is still the third lowest since 2000, the report said.

Also, business persons who knew well the government’s anti-corruption drive fell to 35 percent from 37 percent. Meanwhile, those who claimed the government’s steps to eradicate corruption are “somewhat or very effective” fell to 73 percent from 78 percent.

Business persons’ perception that government “often or almost always” punishes unscrupulous government officials also dropped to 20 percent from 27 percent.

Still, Coloma maintained the “excellent or good” business expectations for the next two years in the report indicate that more Filipinos have confidence in the government.

“Ang mga (ito) ang higit na nagpatibay sa … mga mamamayan na lubos ang pagganap ng pamahalaan sa tungkulin nitong ipalaganap at ipagtibay ang mga prinsipyo ng mabuting pamamahala tungo sa mas matatag na pampublikong institusyon,” he said.

(These prove that more Filipinos were convinced that the administration is capable of good governance for a stronger public institution.)

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