Bisan corrupt, basta generous

“Very cute...” This was how the much-admired IGACOS Mayor Roger Antalan (in a 2002 lecture before Mindanao HRMOs) found the criteria written by some sitio voters for qualified candidates.

Written on tattered manila paper: “Ang among pilion ang Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Maka-Kinaiyanhan, Malinawon, Daling Duolon.” And at the bottom in small letters, “Corrupt – pero gamay lang”.

At first glance, the criteria look “cute” indeed. It speaks abundantly of how our people, primarily the poor, experience and view corruption (and the peculiar meaning they assign to the terms pro-God, pro-people, pro-environment and peace-loving).

Or perhaps, it is the Filipino's distinctive way of surviving the inevitable realities of life, like taxes, death and graft and corruption – the last, so massive and prevalent that it boggles the mind, it defies imagination.

“Normal na man ina karon”. “Tanan gahimo man sina.” “Indi man malain ang ten (10) percent nga komisyon.” “Pasalamat lang man ina kag pakisama.” “Dapat praktikal lang kita.” Sila gani sa taas, bilyon-bilyon ang ginakawat.” Okay lang ina, basta i-share man nila sa mga tawo”. “ Bisan corrupt, basta generous.”

The politician must be approachable (daling duolon) , for a share of the loot. An honest candidate who does not give (dili maduolan) stands no chance against a politician who “shares” the money he plundered.

Our conscience finds solace in voting for the lesser evil, which is usually the most corrupt but the most generous. The “ corrupt – pero gamay lang” does not actually refer to the petty amount stolen – which is as abominable as the billions stashed away - but to the munificence of the “benevolent” politician however corrupt and destitute his heart and soul is, basta generous.

After all, voters do not remember the sins of their leaders. They remember only the “blessings” that come from them, usually, during elections.

This detestable mind set had become so ingrained in our sub-culture that any suggestion to the contrary shocks many.

For example, a water industry executive reported before a gathering of industry players that she issued a stern warning to all suppliers never ever to offer or give any gift, bribe or commission to any official or employee of her agency.

What she got from her audience were scornful remarks, “Sobra ka-arte sa imo” . “Sa umpisa lang iyan, pero later, bibigay din yan.” In fairness, majority of the participants praised her crusade as very daring, and wished her success.

There is a prevailing feeling that we could do nothing about corruption. It is a fact of life. Just dance with the music.

Why be a hero when one could simply live and let live, enjoy life with loved ones, accept some bits of goodies from political patrons, be “corrupt – just a little” sometimes, and live a peaceful, hassle-free life?

Good. Nice. And where did it all lead us to?

Among a lot of things, it transformed us into collaborators – without honor, without a soul, without self-respect - in a grand conspiracy to forever condemn ourselves to worsening poverty and misery as a nation.

Corruption – gamay o daku (petty or grand) - kills not only the body ( where have all the medicines and the doctors gone? ), but also the mind and the spirit ( where have all the best teachers gone? ).

Substandard roads, unfinished bridges, and inadequate public service facilities are fruits of corruption; they, too, kill. The more massive the looting of government funds, the more people (particularly journalists) who tried to expose graft and corrupt practices will be murdered. God help us!

I shudder at the thought of the future… of our children. It is not a very cute future!