Workers’ group: Corruption due to political culture that protects the powerful

Amid recent exposes of anomalies in flood control projects, an anti-corruption workers’ group on Thursday said corruption is a direct consequence of the political culture that “protects the powerful.”

In a press release, the Manggagawang Laban sa Bulok na Sistema, Pribatisasyon at Korapsyon (Manlaban) said “corruption is not simply an issue of individual misconduct, but a direct consequence of a political culture that is structurally built to reward patronage and protect the powerful.”

“Corruption in the Philippines is not driven solely by individuals but by a political culture that systematically rewards patronage and protects the powerful,” said Atty. Luke Espiritu, one of the convenors of Manlaban.

He added that this system has severely weakened regulatory oversight and later allowed abusive practices to flourish and “kept essential public services hostage to competing political and business interests.”

To address corruption, the group pushed for election reforms to break political monopolies and strengthen regulations against political dynasties and patronage networks.

The group said they would raise all issues during the anti-corruption rally on November 30.

They also urged the public to participate in the movement for genuine reforms and not be swayed by partisan politics.

On Monday, the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPMM) rejected calls for a change in the country’s leadership as it also bared preparations for the November 30 rallies at the People Power Monument. — JMA, GMA Integrated News