Corruption seems like a simple word that isolates the biggest problem of the Philippines. But, it's a more complicated matter than what it seems. There are so many levels of corruption in the Philippines, I would like you guys to share any experiences you or your family might have in seeing the Philippine governments stupidity, and malicitiousness first hand.

My family was visited by the police because we were audited by the BIR and they saw some small faults in our tax returns. These faults are normal and can be found in 99% of all tax returns. The thing is, the BIR people actually told my dad that if he payed them money under-the-table, that they would not audit him. My dad is such a proud individual that he refused and that's why we got a visit from the police. Luckily, my dad has plenty of friends and that guy who called about asking for the illegal payment was quietly terminated.
That was basically extortion.

Also, my grandmother, was sending stuff abroad(this is like exporting so it's good) but the customs people really went all out and tried to tax her for almost every item. They offered to overlook the taxes for some bribe money... that was only one of the few times, I've seen her pissed off. We shouldn't tax any exports right?? I'm mean that's counterintuative.

We've had the same problems with customs at the airports.

My grandmother was ripped off some land by a Filipino businessman.

It's quite common there.

Corruption is one of the most debilitating diseases of our society that's preventing our country from moving forward. Filipinos should realize that we make this disease even worse everytime we tolerate it or turn a blind eye towards corruption no matter how seemingly small it may be.

corruption is very tempting,i have an uncle in the philippines who is a mayor and somewhat like saddam hussein.if someone is gonna run against him it would only be family i was given the oppurtunity to run as a mayor even if i did not know much about politics.my uncle bribed me everything from money(taken from the poor)to women and all i had to do was run for mayor against him.the poor in the other hand would always be nice to me inviting me to dinners and such because they wanted something,other than that they could care less about me.

We can always dream of a time in the future when laws in the Philippines against corruption will be enforced.

Whats so frustrating is that a lot of people have accepted it. Saying its always been like that and everyone is corrupt, that there really isnt really anything that can be done about it. Why not just start one person at a time and not accept bribes??? ohh oh well life is hard and people need money...???? thats horse$hit . WHile thier kabayanon are abroad wiping some old mans @$$, while some of our best and smartest have to work as seamen or maids so they send money to help keep the economy afloat, why cant they do thier part??

but i think some are exagerated here... if u r smart u will not work as a seaman?... seaman if u r a captain or an engineer is a good income...and u need to be smart... how u can manage a ship if ur not smart...and i tink they r just practical... like nurse profession..

The Philippines rank 124 out of 159 countries as the least corrupt nation.

Countries which are more currupt than the Philippines are

Uganda 2.5
Albania 2.4
Niger 2.4
Russia 2.4
Sierra Leone 2.4
Burundi 2.3
Cambodia 2.3
Congo, Republic of 2.3
Georgia 2.3
Kyrgyzstan 2.3
Papua New Guinea 2.3
Venezuela 2.3
Azerbaijan 2.2
Cameroon 2.2
Ethiopia 2.2
Indonesia 2.2
Iraq 2.2
Liberia 2.2
Uzbekistan 2.2
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.1
Kenya 2.1
Pakistan 2.1
Paraguay 2.1
Somalia 2.1
Sudan 2.1
Tajikistan 2.1
Angola 2.0
Côte d'Ivoire 1.9
Equatorial Guinea 1.9
Nigeria 1.9
Haiti 1.8
Myanmar 1.8
Turkmenistan 1.8
Bangladesh 1.7
Chad 1.7

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781359.html

Not all them chose to be seamen because its what they wanted to do. Im sure, since most of them are educated, that they chose that proffession because it pays better than any job they could find in Philippines.

maybe because of practicality.... then if they the money already... they can pursue what they want in life...
best example... Manny Pangilinan of PLDT... he tend to work as an OFW in Hongkong... and puruse his dreams... hope to be like that someday not that big... but if i can... why not... lol

So true. But you can't blame it all on people being weak willed. It takes leadership to bring to focus the will of the masses. Until you have real leadership step up and start a solid movement no change will happen. Quite honestly joe farmer may hate his life but he isn't about to risk his land , which has been in the family 5 generations to lead the charge.
It can start with 1 small town, if they are smart and use the press. Look at Rodney King. Driving drunk over 100mph, also high on drugs. Tries to run from the police wrecks the car. Those cops got caught on film beatiing a defenceless @$$hole. Not a defenceless man, a defenceless @$$hole. Rhodney got out of it, got a huge settlement and changed the way a big city handled business.
My point the power of the media is a big gun. Will 1 or 2 events change the PI? No but its an easy start and it can be done with low risk. Many will say I am dreaming... Yep because isn't that the begining of all change?

Studies aren't definitive. Especially on such a vague topic as this. What defines corruption, for example?

Thus, I take this with a grain of salt.

How shall we combat this?? corruption is how many policemen, government officials, and army officers get by - they have families, and some are doing good in the community. However, it's also ruining our economy, by turning-off investors and ripping off ordinary people... We can't better the economy with such rampant corruption, and we can't crackkdown on corruption, however, many people will be badly affected.
I guess it's just a price we'll have to pay.

Theres nothing wrong with being an overseas worker..Im so proud of what they are doing are doing, thier efforts is keeping our country...for now. BUt what happens when our best and brightest leave the country,to immigrate or to work, in menial jobs that many of them didnt got to school for. Thier skills, education and experience are being wasted. But sending money will only stall the inevitable if were not doing anything to better the country.

I have to blame it on the weak willed who else can there be??? We can only blame the spanish and the americans so far, we had our chance and we fu-ked up. I blame the weak willed that hold a lot of power but only used that power to fill thier pockets and fatten thier children. I blame the weak willed that allow this kind of bull$hit to happen and letting themselves be taken advantage of. I blame those that allow themselves to be mesmerized by recycled entertainment and useless gadgets they dont need instead of looking at the real picture.

my friend did a study on corruption for her 3nd year paper n found that the type of government system is in correllation with the corruption of a country. I think Phil needs to be more liberal and ease off its more conservative ideas as most of the laws in the country gives too much power to the government. the government should be scared of its people not the other way round. v for vendetta . Weak-willed or not if enough people vote for the right leader things can only go forward

Filipinos tolerate corruption that's why the leaders of this country are corrupt.

Sa jeep palang makikita na yan between the driver and pasahero

Every country in the world has corruption to some extent. Sure, some countries have it less, others have more corruption. It's about time when everyone in the country (anywhere you came from / you live in & whatever race you are) eradicates it.

Corruption is everywhere in the Philippines, how can one be raised to stop corruption when they grew up with corruption?

Even the smartest people in the Philippines, such as engineers and doctors, are corrupted.

One of my relatives, thank god she became a citizen abroad, was being chased by a bank in the Philippines apparently because she didn't pay the debt when she already did and her storage account in the bank had like x10 more money than the amount they needed yet they still asked her to pay! I say thank god she became a citizen in an abroad country, because if she goes back to the Philippines and gets chased by those greedy maniacs, the government in her new country would initially stop it, send lawyers, and possibly even show how corrupt the bank is!

BTW, are the bishops/priests corrupt as well?

I remember reading how those bishops are like dictators and look for the president to slip up. They own huge lands and have a lot of money, give non of it to the poor.

The church even stopped the progress of implementing sex education, to stop the huge increase in the population.

Stupid, because as population increases, more poverty and hunger.

It's a kleptocracy in the first place.

This will eventually be America in the future.

Heck I think even Canada is already like this.

Philippines really needs to do quick action, it's always lagging behind, they need to step it up.

It's just getting ridiculous and laughable now how Philippines managed to lag behind while countries like Korea and Malaysia have managed to surpass Philippines in economy.

Do Philippines realize it's almost like the laughing stock of Asia, it's shameful to be the #2 richest country in Asia to become one of the poor nations of Asia.

There's even a country somewhere dedicated to corruption and corruption is considered to be the main reason why it was founded in the first place. It's not the Philippines, but I think it's somewhere in Africa.

Definition of Politics: Poly=Many __ Tics=Blood-sucking parasites

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../334265/1/.html

Scoring System
- On a scale of zero to ten, zero being the best possible score.
- Last year's scores are in brackets.

Low Corruption

1. Singapore 1.13 (1.20)
2. Hong Kong 1.80 (1.87)
3. Japan 2.25 (2.10)
4. Macau 3.30 (5.18)

Medium Corruption

5. South Korea 5.65 (6.30)
6. Malaysia 6.37 (6.25)
7. Taiwan 6.55 (6.23)

High Corruption

8. India 7.25 (6.67)
9. Vietnam 7.75 (7.54)
10. China 7.98 (6.29)
11. Indonesia 7.98 (8.03)
12. Thailand 8.00 (8.03)
13. Philippines 9.00 (9.40)

India has a higher corruption than Philippines (O_o)?

Uhh, well a country with corruption can still be pretty developed.

I know Philippines will eventually become a developed country.

The higher score, the worse the corruption is.

So, Philippines at 9.00 is more corrupted than India at 7.25.