Palace: Reforms will change public perception on govt ‘corruption’

Malacañang on Monday expressed optimism that it would be able to change the public’s perception on government agencies regarding corruption as it continues to show the reforms it intends to do. In an interview with reporters, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Ricky Carandang said it is only normal for Filipino people to be “cynical" when it comes to the issue of corruption in the government. “Ganyan talaga medyo nagiging cynical na ang tao pagdating sa corruption (It’s not unusual that Filipinos get cynical when it comes to corruption). We hope that as we show more results, we will be able to change the public’s mind," he told reporters. A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that 64 percent of the respondents believed there is no government agency where corruption does not take place. The same survey said almost half of Filipinos think the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is the most corrupt. He said the administration is doing its best to reform the government, only that “there are so many barriers in the way." “Nakikita natin na medyo cynical na ang taongbayan (We can see that the Filipinos are somewhat cynical) when it comes to issues of corruption. Kaya mahirap nga rin itong ginagawa natin to fight corruption (That’s why this fight against corruption is not easy)," he said. “I think the only way that you can reverse that sentiment is to actually show results dito sa ating (here in our) reforms," Carandang said. He noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was perceived as the most corrupt agency in early 2009, but is now only at third place. “Kahit papaano tumaas ang tingin ng tao sa DPWH na hindi na po sila ‘yung considered pinaka-corrupt (It’s good that public perception on DPWH has improved)," he said. Carandang also believed that the public’s awareness of the cases filed against former military comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who is accused of plunder, put the military in a bad light. “I think dahilan doon is nakikita natin ‘yung mga kaso ni Gen. Garcia na pinag-usapan sa Senado at sa Kongreso kaya medyo lumalabas ‘yung perception na ‘yon sa corruption sa AFP," he said. (I think the cases against General Garcia, which are currently being tackled at the House of Representative and Senate, placed the military in bad light.) Carandang said the public should also look into the reforms being undertaken by the military leadership to correct the system. “We understand why the public would think that, because it was in the headlines. But we do not want to contend the entire AFP because of a few very bad eggs there," he said. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News