Treading the straight and righteous path: curbing corruption in the Philippines

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Vincent C. Batalla

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the anti-corruption performance of the Philippine government, particularly under the leadership of President Benigno Aquino III. Design/methodology/approach – The paper evaluates the anti-corruption measures as represented by pertinent laws as well as anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) under the Aquino administration. Findings – The Aquino government has exercised remarkable political will in acting on high-profile cases involving former government officials, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. However, the government’s overall anti-corruption performance is hampered by outdated and conflicting laws, lack of compliance with anti-corruption laws and regulations by public officials and employees, poor ACA operational capacities, judicial inefficiency, deficient organizational systems and change-resistant government agencies, and selective and partial enforcement of anti-corruption laws. These problems are characteristic of Philippine political administrations and are arguably rooted in a system long characterized by fragile state institutions, strong oligarchic control, and weak citizenship. Originality/value – The paper is intended to update scholars, policy makers, and anti-corruption practitioners interested in corruption, ACA performance, and political reform in the Philippines. It discusses corruption-related problems of public administration within the purview of political economy. Based on this perspective, it argues that the key to effective control of corruption is a change in the political system’s configuration rather than the mere change in leadership.

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon S.T. Quah

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain why Singapore is a success story today despite the fact that its prospects for survival were dim when it became independent in August 1965. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes the changes in Singapore’s policy context from 1959 to 2016, analyses the five factors responsible for its success and concludes with advice for policy makers interested in implementing Singapore-style reforms to solve similar problems in their countries. Findings Singapore’s success can be attributed to these five factors: the pragmatic leadership of the late Lee Kuan Yew and his successors; an effective public bureaucracy; effective control of corruption; reliance on the “best and brightest” citizens through investment in education and competitive compensation; and learning from other countries. Originality/value This paper will be useful to those scholars and policy makers interested in learning from Singapore’s success in solving its problems.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Apostolakis ◽  
Shabbar Jaffry ◽  
Faye Sizeland ◽  
Adam Cox

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential for utilizing a unique resource, such as the Historic Portsmouth Harbor, in order to differentiate the local brand. Design/methodology/approach – The objective of the paper is to examine the role of unique local resources and attractions as a source of competitive advantage through destination branding. Findings – The main findings of the paper indicate that policy makers and destination managers should more proactively utilize the unique elements of the Historic Portsmouth Harbor “brand,” as opposed to the commonplace “waterfront city” brand. This could be achieved by staging events of international significance or through a bid for gaining world heritage status. In addition to that, the paper argues that in order for this branding initiative to have a higher impact, a prominent high profile individual should be appointed. This individual could act as a leader or “brand ambassador” in order to attract stakeholder interest and participation. Originality/value – The paper could be of value to destination managers and marketing organizations in a local, sub-regional and regional level.


Author(s):  
Perfecto G. Aquino, Jr. ◽  
Revenio C. Jalagat Jr. ◽  
Mercia Selvia Malar Justin

This study is aimed at filling the gap and will discuss the overview of both the legal reform processes happening in the public sector of the Philippine government and of recent developments and challenges initiated by the Civil Service Commission of the Philippine government as its Central Personnel Agency. This chapter will cover the years commencing 1986 up to the present dispensation of the Duterte administration where the primary goal is to study and suggest the approaches to reforming the Civil Service system and its decision-making process. It also outlines the discourses on the reform of public service among educators and public officials in the Philippines. Then, it elaborates on the laws and institutional measures introduced for an effective public personnel administration system in the country. A documentary analysis on the successful practices of public personnel administration will be used to evolve on the possible steps/strategies to further enhance the delivery of personnel services of the government sector workforce in the Philippines.


Significance The investigation into the assassination of prominent journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has taken a dramatic turn with the interrogation of senior Maltese government officials, the arraignment of a prominent business tycoon and the prime minister’s announcement that he will resign in January. Impacts Investigation of Caruana Galizia’s murder and large-scale corruption on government contracts will continue apace with unpredictable results. State institutions’ independence and government corruption will remain in the international spotlight. Malta will continue to come under significant scrutiny in EU institutions. Investigations into lucrative government contracts signed under the Labour administration will gain momentum and others may be opened. The political crisis will prove detrimental to business confidence.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eiji Oyamada

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Rwandan government’s anti-corruption strategy and identify lessons for policymakers in other countries. Design/methodology/approach This paper relies on materials obtained from the Rwandan government, from websites, research reports, press articles and publications as well as interviews with scholars, with Rwandan government officials, and the staff of non-governmental organizations. Findings The Rwandan government formulates and implements its anti-corruption efforts via donors’ governance support and homegrown initiatives. Corruption has been minimized by eradicating opportunities for misconduct and by focusing on governance reforms and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Political will and strong leadership, the active role played by the anti-corruption agency, and effective governance reform have made Rwanda’s anti-corruption activities successful. Originality/value This paper is a scholarly examination of the Rwandan government’s anti-corruption strategy.


Subject Clampdown on corruption in Russian state institutions Significance Following the high-profile arrest of senior figures from the Investigative Committee (SK), the home of the head of the Federal Customs Service has been searched as part of a separate corruption probe. Several regional officials are under investigation for corrupt practices. These cases go beyond the usual inter-agency and factional squabbling and are part of a slow-burning but serious anti-corruption campaign in Russia. Impacts Agencies with investigative powers, especially the Federal Security Service, will benefit by assisting the crackdown on corruption. Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin's position seems secure despite the arrest of his subordinates. Putin associates such as individuals named in the 'Panama Papers' will remain immune from scrutiny of their financial affairs.


Significance US policymakers feel there is sufficient support for the United States elsewhere in the Philippine government and population to erode Duterte's threats to unravel the alliance. Nonetheless, Washington is considering alternative South-east Asian partners. Impacts Japan's role as an interlocutor between Manila and Washington on security issues could grow. Duterte might meet outgoing President Barack Obama in Peru at the November 19-20 APEC meeting. However, should this occur, it is unlikely to improve Philippine-US ties much if at all. Rumours of human rights abuses in the Philippines will anger US members of Congress, further deteriorating ties.


Significance The polls came shortly after last month's high-profile sentencing (in absentia) by a French court of Vice-President Teodorin Obiang. He received a three-year jail term and a fine of 30 million euros (36 million dollars) on corruption charges. However, both his jail term and fine were suspended, meaning that he will only face jail or pay the fine if he re-offends and is convicted in France. Teodorin has long been seen as heir apparent and likely to succeed his father. Impacts Teodorin's conviction may set a precedent for trials of senior government officials and their families in France. International energy firms will face more demands to buy locally and improve corporate social responsibility (CSR). The continued high dependency on the oil sector and a small tax base make non-oil tax revenue projections illusory.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-63
Author(s):  
Zaldy C. Collado ◽  
Noella May-i G. Orozco

Purpose This study aims to examine the experiences of urban poor relocatees in their resettlement communities, specifically those who were relocated from the Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela and Quezon City areas to the province of Bulacan, Philippines. This study hopes to convey the importance of revisiting the law on socialized housing in the Philippines. Design/methodology/approach This study gathered qualitative data through 2 focus group discussions among 28 participants who came from 3 resettlement sites in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan Province, Philippines. The resettlement areas are owned and managed by the National Housing Authority of the Philippine Government. Findings Results show that resettlement experiences are stories of survival under impoverished conditions. Lack of housing facilities or poorly built units characterize their relocation experience aside from having no immediate access to basic utilities such as electricity and water, despite a law that supposedly secures these rights to relocatees. The expensive cost of transportation and the lack of livelihood also heavily strain the lives of the relocated population. Originality/value This study illustrates that involuntary displacement predicts poor living conditions upon resettlement. This study is an inquiry not only of existing conditions of socialized housing in resettlement areas but also past realities of these housing communities at the onset of the displacees’ relocation.


Author(s):  
Liliana Rivera ◽  
David Gligor ◽  
Yossi Sheffi

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the benefits of logistics clustering, with the intent to explain their growth and popularity among private agents and policy makers during the last decade. Design/methodology/approach – Because of limited knowledge about the benefits of logistics clustering a main objective of this paper is theory building. The authors employed a grounded theory approach and conducted 135 open and semi structured interviews with logistics executives, government officials, academics, and chambers of commerce representatives. Findings – Study results revealed that, the agglomeration of logistics firms provides several key benefits to companies. Specifically, it was found that logistics clustering facilitates collaboration-related benefits, offering of value added services, career mobility for the logistics workforce within the cluster, and promotes job growth at multiple levels within the cluster. The authors offer a rich description of these benefits and the mechanisms that facilitate these outcomes. Research limitations/implications – This paper uses a qualitative approach. Further research using a quantitative approach to measure the magnitude of the impacts and benefits of logistics clusters would be desirable. Originality/value – This paper identifies the benefits associated with logistics clustering and thus provides justification for public authorities and private agents to invest in this phenomenon.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document